American Challengers 2020

[sameerph]

Lets go one step at a time.

These are first round match-ups for our guys -

At Orlando Challenger 80, Florida, USA

[R1] (4) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,137) vs. (WC) Sam Riffice (USA,612)

[R1] Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,186) vs. (LL) Nick Chappell (USA,437)

[sameerph]

Prajnesh's opponent changed to lucky loser Sadio Doumbia whom he had lost to in the final of 2016 Pune challenger.

But, this time Prajnesh turned tables with a straight sets win.

At Orlando Challenger 80, Florida, USA

[R1] (4) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,137) d. (LL) Sadio Doumbia (FRA) 63 75

Next,

[R2] (4) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,137) vs. Tung-Lin Wu (TPE,250)

RamK's match to be later today on the same court.

[Dinesh]

Happy to see Prajnesh getting these comfortable wins in these early CH rounds. I wonder how much of this will have a positive effect on his rankings in accordance with the Aussie 2021 summer season?

Good luck for R2.

[Sanjay]

If PG wins the final he gets up to about 120 in rankings. He is now at 137.

RR - Another disappointing match against a much lower opponent. I didn't know he grunted so much - I turned up the sound. In the last game there was a questionable call and he pleaded his case but the ump didn't care. Seemed like the opponent hit it out. The ump is the only judge here and it was far away from his view. Oh well.

[sameerph]

Yes, after one good week, RamK once again started his several weeks of first round losses from last week. Disappointing one this week against a futures level player.

At Orlando Challenger 80, Florida, USA

[R1] (7) Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,186) l. (LL) Nick Chappell (USA,437) 36 46

Prajnesh's second round match to be played today (Wednesday).

[sameerph]

Prajnesh is playing a weird match. He was up 5-2 in the first set, then suddenly starts making whole lot of errors to lost the first set 5-7 and go 2-5 down in the second set. Then, suddenly springs to life and wins the next 5 games to take the second set 7-5.

[sameerph]

And his opponent retires in the third set. What a comeback from almost down and out ( 2-5 in the second set after losing the second set)

At Orlando Challenger 80, Florida, USA

[R2] (4) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,137) d. Tung-Lin Wu (TPE,250) 75 57 20 retd.

[Dinesh]

That’s very lucky for PG. Just what he needed. I started watching the match when he was down a set and trailing 1-4. What a comeback and very glad he was able to win without spending more time on the court!

[Sanjay]

Another come back from the dead win!
I had practically given up, he was on set point in Set 1, but then suddenly nothing would go right and he lost the set, and was 2 points away from losing the second set (and the match), but woke up and played well to save it and go up in S3.
I am impressed with his opponent, he is on the rise.

Very windy out there today.

[sameerph]

At Orlando Challenger 80, Florida, USA

[QF] (4) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,137) vs. (6) Dimity Popko (KAZ,172)

Popko is a consistent challenger level performer. I expect another tough match. If Prajnesh can win this one, he will move ahead of Sumit as India #1. First match on court at 8.30 pm India time.

[Sin Hombre]

Prajnesh delivers a bagel in the first set.

[PKBasu]

[QF] 4-Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,137) d. 6-Dimitry Popko (KAZ,172) 60 63

Prajnesh has just been broken in the second set. So, after winning 7 games in a row, he has lost two. Let's hope he can break back immediately.
Popko holds, 1-3.
Prajnesh holds at 15. 2-3
Popko goes down 15-30, 15-40, and Prajnesh breaks back! 3-3
PG holds at 15, 4-3. Then he breaks after two deuces. 5-3
He holds easily at 15. Match!!

ANOTHER SEMI-FINAL! This is becoming a habit in Challengers!!

[Sanjay]

I was rooting for a double bagel but still a very good clean performance.

Next is most likely Denis Kudla (unless he loses his match) who had beaten PG in the previous tournament in the final.

PG is now India No 1.

[sameerph]

Kudla lost in a tough 3 setter against fellow American Eubanks.

At Orlando Challenger 80, Florida, USA

[SF] (4) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,137) vs. Christopher Eubanks (USA,239)

Prajnesh almost played a perfect match today. Very few unforced errors which is quite unlike him and brought out the agression when needed. Eubanks played more than 3 hour match. So, he will be a bit more tired.

[Sanjay]

This is a lucky break for PG, Eubanks is ranked 200+. He will be a tough opponent, but I prefer him to Kudla.

All the top seeds are out, and PG is the highest ranked player left. Let's do this!