Leander Paes and his partner Vishnu Vardhan fought their hearts out before losing to second seeds Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France in a gruelling men’s doubles second round match, in London on Wednesday.
Paes and Vardhan gave a torrid time to the formidable French combination before losing 6-7 (3) 6-4 3-6 in two hours and seven minutes.
With their defeat Indian challenge ended in the men’s doubles but Paes and Vardhan can hold their heads high as they made their rivals work very hard to earn points.
The other Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna had lost in straight sets yesterday.
Indian challenge is still alive in the discipline as Paes and Sania Mirza are set to open their campaign in the mixed doubles tomorrow. Their mixed doubles match was scheduled for today but had to be postponed till tomorrow because of the back log owing to inclement weather in the past few days.
Vardhan, who has gradually grown in confidence while facing world’s best players, supported Paes well with his good serve and agile play at the net.
He was never broken in the entire tie and held his own when all the pressure was on him during the match.
Both Tsonga and Llodra often targeted Vardhan with their intimidating ground strokes but the young Indian showed tremendous stomach for fight within his abilities.
The Indian duo faced breakpoint only once in the opening set, which they lost in the tie-breaker.
They saved two chances in the second set and got an elusive break to force the decisive and third set.
The final set was no different with Indians fighting tooth and nail but Paes dropped his serve eighth game and that was enough opening for the French team to capitalise. The Indians paid the price for making a number of unforced errors in the crucial third set to allow the Frenchmen walk away with the match.
Nevertheless, the Indians saved three match points before a long forehand by Paes sealed their fate.
Keywords: 2012 London Olympics, 2012 Summer Olympics, tennis, India in Olympics, Leander Paes, Vishnu Vardhan
It is time India has a permanent non playing captain who talks to the players and smooths out the problems as they arise. The idea that someone can sit in his chair and decide the team will not work. India has ample tennis seniors in Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan and others who can take on the role. Such a captain will select the team by keeping in touch with them and mentoring them as needs arise. I am happy with the performance of Vishnu Vardhan. This portends well for India in the future.
I think it's all Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna's fault that Indian
Men double team had suffered this fate. Paes agreed to play with any
body which would have served best for the country but it was bhupati and
bopanna collusion that deprived India of the chance of rare olympic
medal.
My heart goes out for vishnu vardhan....we may have found a star for the future....i'm sure he'll break into the top 20 doubles rankings in 2-3 years....and will be a formidable player by Rio...lets watch...as for bhupati.....sorry brooo all that fuss has got us no fruit.....Paes....u did an awesome job serving indian tennis....we need more winners like you to come up...
Is Olympics about Nations or Individuals?
Vishnu is young. With exposure he is bound to scale greater heights. Wishing Vishnu and all our tennis players long and productive years at the highest level.
The duo deserve all praise for their valiant fight in the game.It is also a tragedy that Mahesh and Rohan have also lost their face very badly in straight sets in their second match.We really feel angry that Mahesh and Rohan by refusing to play with Leander have let down the country treating their ego above the interests of the nation. Thank God wisdom has dawned on Sania who after a sane thinking has come around to play with Leander and hope the pair would perform a miracle by winning gold in mixed doubles.
We wish them all the best!
The early exit of Indian men tennis double teams shows that when
personal interest and ego prevail over national interest, the national
suffers the most. I believe, if the pairs would have been made on the
basis of their ranking, the outcome would have been different. Self interested Players like Mahesh Bhupati & Rohan Bopanna should be
banned for rest of the life, so that other players can not do the same
in the future. But I believe, neither spineless All Indian Tennis
Association nor corrupt Government has guts to do so. Shame on these
players and Associations.
Bhupati ensured from the very beginning that India does not get a chance to win a medal in mens doubles. The administrators sealed it. It can only happen in India, a truly democratic, socialist, free country where you can do anything.
The result is not surprising. Paes and Mahesh should have been the
successful pair. Unfortunately personal egos of the players spoiled the
medal chances in Tennis.
Well after all the controversy and snide remarks and infighting, what is India left with? Nothing! Shame on the tennis players who put their interests before the nation!
Well Done Team, you played with the fighting spirit despite facing tough opponents. Its no
mean achievement when pitted against Tsonga. Vardhan made me feel proud because of
remaining unbroken, Hats off to you.
It is a great lesson for every from our tennis pair. "United we stand divided we fall" No one is above the game . Our country is spoiled by this kind of selfish attitude.
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