Asian Challengers - April 2018

[sanjay5goel]

Do you mean that it is on the ATP tour website?

[jayakris]

Wow, that was FANTASTIC point by RR to break back at 4-5 AD out, after he saved a set point on Safranik's serve. A long soft shot exchange where RR kept hitting the ball deep enough and finally making VS run to the right and retrieve it, only to see a nice backchand cc volley finishing the point. Safranek threw his raquet. He yelled all kinds of stuff in his language and the ump warned him that they are on live stream!

[jayakris]

Do you mean that it is on the ATP tour website?

Of course. Both matches are being screamed nicely. Go to the at site, click under challenger and you get the page.

[Sin Hombre]

Ram wins set 1 from 4-5 break down.

Prajnesh down 2-4 in the first set tiebreak. Turns it around from 0-4 to lead 5-4 now. And wins set 1 despite frustration at a bad line call when he thought he had won the set

Got a warning for the protest at the line call.

And Ram gets an early break in set 2 to lead 2-0 now. If Ram keeps playing his usual game, the second set should be won easily. Safranek has completely mentally disintegrated at this point.

[jayakris]

RamK served easily for 6-5 and then Safranek completely lost it. Yelling and screaming, he started with a double fault. RR is calmly playing his shots and VS is being an ass, all angry and trying to whack the ball. 0-40 MP and RR easily wins it. 7-5 0-0!!!

The ump says, "now I have to give a code violation", after the set was over and VS kept on yelling in frustration.

Meanwhile Prajnesh is nicely holding up, but is now down 2-4 in the first set tiebreaker, and he wins 4 points in a row to get to 6-4. He serves. return is on the line. Not called out. The ump comes, checks the spot, and GPP doesn't win the argument. My God, what a antastic point won by GPP on Bolt. And he wins it 76(5) ... Now Bolt gets a code violation. I love this!!!

Anyway, the Indians have won the first sets.

[Rajiv]

Ram wins set 1 from 4-5 break down.

And played a remarkable point to level the scores at 5 all in first set and get the break back , that point had all the hallmarks of the improvement that one finds in Ram's game

[sameerph]

Wow, Prajnesh wins 6 straight points from 0-4 down in the tie break, was convinced that he had won the seventh straight points but the umpire ruled Bolt's forhand in. But, Prajnesh played superbly to win the next point to take the first set 76(5).

[jayakris]

RR breaks Safranek in the second game, and it is 75 20 ... he holds, and leads 75 30 now.

Prajnesh starts with n easy hold. 76(5) 10

[Sin Hombre]

Wow, Prajnesh wins 6 straight points from 0-4 down in the tie break, was convinced that he had won the seventh straight points but the umpire ruled Bolt's forhand in. But, Prajnesh played superbly to win the next point to take the first set 76(5).

Hopefully Prajnesh wins this.

He needs a run to the semis to make it to RG qualifying?

[bujilover]

Wow, Prajnesh wins 6 straight points from 0-4 down in the tie break, was convinced that he had won the seventh straight points but the umpire ruled Bolt's forhand in. But, Prajnesh played superbly to win the next point to take the first set 76(5).

Great fight from Prajnesh to not lose focus after that faulty call. Bolt was agitated too much that he went on breaking his racket. LOL.
GO PRAJNESH!!!!

[Rajiv]

Prajnesh takes the first set , coming well after being down in the TB ,
Both are left handers , but such a complete contrast in styles , The Australian a ball basher and Prajnesh all grace and style in his shot making.

An upset looks very probable

[jayakris]

Prajnesh breaks him at the second BP at 30-40, and leads 76(5) 20. To serve. And he holds at 15 (with a terrific forehand crosscourt)... Up 76(5) 30

RamK holds for a 75 41 lead,. The volley on a serve and volley there was delectable, to see. And he breaks Saf again at 0-40... Up 75 51 and serving.

[sameerph]

Wow, Prajnesh wins 6 straight points from 0-4 down in the tie break, was convinced that he had won the seventh straight points but the umpire ruled Bolt's forhand in. But, Prajnesh played superbly to win the next point to take the first set 76(5).

Hopefully Prajnesh wins this.

He needs a run to the semis to make it to RG qualifying?

He has 9 points falling off too this week. So, he will at least need a SF this week or another run next week to try to get into RG qualies. Needs about 40 or so points from these 2 weeks I reckon although depending on cut off a little lower than this may do.

[jayakris]

RamK serves an ace down the line at 40-0 match point, and it is a win 75 61 !!!! ... Walk in the park, against the Czech.

And Prajnesh breaks Bolt at Ad out, and leads 76(5) 40 now!!! 6th ace and a service winner from 30-15, and he leads 76(5) 50. The Aussie serving to stay alive. Bolt holds, finally. GPP serving for the match, and he too finishes it with his 7th ace on the match point!!....

Man, these Indians are on a roll, eating Chinese egg rolls.

[sameerph]

From 3-5 down in the first set, RamK won 10 out of next 11 games. What a dominant performance against a European clay courter.