British Challengers (grass), June, 2018

[PKBasu]

Only 8 Indians have ever been ranked in the top-100 of the ATP singles rankings, so having two Indians together in the top-100 is very rare -- and last happened in 1986 (32 years ago!).
There were briefly 3 Indians in the top-100 in late-1974 (Vijay, Anand and Jasjit Singh), and again in 1976 (Vijay, Anand and Sashi Menon). Sashi was in the top-100 from end-1975 to July 1977. Sashi Menon and Jasjit Singh weren't ever simultaneously in the top-100, so we never had four Indians in the top-100.

Of course, we now have Rohan, Divij, Leander, Purav and Vishnu in the top-100 of doubles, and Balaji and Jeevan just out. To have 7 Indians ranked in the top-110 of doubles is surely unprecedented for us.

[bujilover]

Ankita/Ingrid lost their QF match to Dart/Dunne in straight sets. Luksika/Prarthana's QF against Rodina/Yastremska to begin next.

[jaydeep]

Prarthana in the semis with Kumkhum after winning their match on extra points in the match tie-break ... Next, they r facing Dart and Dunne, who defeated Ankita and Ingrid comfortably.

At $100K ITF Women's Tournament 2018, Manchester, Great Britain

[QF] (4) Luksika Kumkhum (THA)/ Prarthana Thombare (IND) bt Evgeniya Rodina (RUS)/ Dayana Yastremska (UKR) 75 46 13-11
[QF] Ingrid Neel (USA)/ Ankita Raina (IND) l Harriet Dart (GBR)/ Katy Dunne (GBR) 26 36

[SF] (4) Luksika Kumkhum (THA)/ Prarthana Thombare (IND) vs Harriet Dart (GBR)/ Katy Dunne (GBR)

[sameerph]

RamK lost the first set 67(5) against Granollers. Very close set which went to the wire. And one point lost serving at 5-6 in tie break cost RamK the set. 44 points to 45 in that set. So, it was that 1 point which made the difference.

RamK will have to dig dip now to get out of this as Granollers is playing well.

[sameerph]

First 3 games of the second set have been full of breakpoints. Granollers saved 1 bp in the first game, RamK saved 2 in second game and finally RamK got the first break of the match on second bp in third game to lead 2-1.

RamK holds after a couple of deuces for 3-1.

And excellent return game by RamK to break Granollers again to lead 4-1. His backhand slice is quite effective here and he should use it more to come to the net and try to finish points

[suresh]

RamK breaks Granollers again to lead 4-1 in the second set. I notice that his grass court game has picked up over the last couple of weeks. He is using the chip and charge to good effect and his volleying has gotten better.

[sameerph]

Yes, he was using chip and charge less in the first set.

Anyway, 1 break is given back as RamK gets broken at 30 with some good play by Granollers. Ramk leads 4-2 now with Granollers to serve.

And Granollers holds easily to make it 3-4. Hope RamK holds on to 1 break advantage now.

RamK holds at love for 5-3.

Granollers was taken to deuce but holds for 4-5. RamK has a chance to serve for the set.

And he holds at love in second set to win it 6-4 and level the match at 1 set all.

[sameerph]

Both players holds at love to start off the third set. 1-1.

Both players staved off a bp each but held for 2-2.

RamK holds after deuce for 3-3. He should try to get into net as early as possible. He is losing the points where there are long rallies from the baseline.

Still going with serve at 5-5. Only those 1 bp each in that third set so far although RamK was taken to deuce in his last service game.

[jayakris]

RamK had a couple of deuce games on his serve, but it is 5-5 in the third. RamK wins a 15 shot rally with a timely move to the net to force a deuce on MG but a mistake at the net at the next point allowed MG to then hold. 5-6 and RamK serving. An unnecessary bonehead unforced volley error almost screwed him up, as RamK faced a 30-40 MP. Then some minor drama as MG hit one out but celebrated like he won the match. But RamK won the next two points and sent it to a TB.

[sameerph]

Granollers taken to deuce but holds for 6-5.

Phew, RamK faced a mp serving at 30-40 and Granollers thought he had hit a backhand dtl winner and started celebrating. But, it was rightly called out and RamK won the next 2 points to take to a tie break.

[S_K_S]

9 double faults for RR! Must be really going for it on 2nd serves

[jayakris]

starts with a mini, but gives two back on his serve, and then gets one back, gives one back again, gets one... Even at 4-4... Oh no, he hits a totally brainless double fault at 4-6 and MG finishes the match. Come on RamK, what's wrong with you? I am turning into saniapower here, but for today RamK deserves it.

[S_K_S]

Time to go ahead now. Come on!

[S_K_S]

Noooooo! DF #10 at 4-5

[jayakris]

That was the worst DF I have ever seen at such a crucial point. Going for his extremely low-percentage second serve there?? What were you thinking RamK? ... Loses 67(5) 64 67(4). Granollers was playing well, but RamK gave away this match with his 9th and 10th DFs in the tiebreaker, and umpteen unforced errors to go with it all through the match. A complete off-day on mental sharpness.