Mukund Sasikumar thread

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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by Omkara »

I might have over estimated his ability after seeing him play in Guwahati. Hope he does better here
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by bujilover »

You sure did. He just lost 3 & 3 to Bai :damn:
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by sameerph »

Sasi is playing qualies at Lisbon challenger.

At $50K(+H) Lisbon Challenger, Portugal (Clay)

[Q1] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,420) vs. Denis Novak (AUT,328)
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by sameerph »

Tame loss for Sasi.

At $50K(+H) Lisbon Challenger, Portugal (Clay)

[Q1] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,420) l. Denis Novak (AUT,328) 26 26

Futile for him to try challenger qualies when he has not established himself at futures level.
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by sameerph »

Sasi is playing in Turkey this week and started with a win.

At $25K Turkey F31 Futures, Istanbul (Clay)

[R1] (7) Sasi Kumar MUKUND (IND,440) d. (WC) Mert ALKAYA (TUR,NR) 61 64

Next,

[R2] (7) Sasi Kumar MUKUND (IND,440) vs. Muhammet HAYLAZ (TUR,736)
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by sameerph »

Sasi is thru to the QF with another easy win.

At $25K Turkey F31 Futures, Istanbul (Clay)

[R2] (7) Sasi Kumar MUKUND (IND,440) d. Muhammet HAYLAZ (TUR,736) 63 61

Next he faces a tough match against the fourth seed.

[QF] (7) Sasi Kumar MUKUND (IND,440) vs. (4) Ivan NEDELKO (RUS,382)
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by sameerph »

Sasi lost in QF.

[QF] (7) Sasi Kumar MUKUND (IND,440) l. (4) Ivan NEDELKO (RUS,382) 16 76 (5) 16
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by Omkara »

Atleast put up some fight against higher ranked player. But still no signs of improvement from he showed he could do in Guwahati.
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by VReddy »

A nice article on Sasi which gives some insights into the reason why he didn't pursue the junior tour route: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 728750.cms
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by sameerph »

Back to back singles titles for Sasi in Indian futures in last couple of weeks. 36 points from these 2 weeks will take him ahead of his previous career high ranking of 414. He is getting close top 400 which is good but will need to start getting some wins over higher ranked players now.

Thanks for sharing that article, Vishnu.

I do not agree with his views on not playing juniors because he was not so good. He would have benefited from playing some competitive matches in juniors.

But, his take on stint in Spain is interesting -
Interestingly, a couple of years ago, Mukund also spent a few months training in Barcelona. While he admits that he got greater exposure during his time in Spain, he feels it's what he has learnt here in India that has shaped him both on and off the tennis courts. "I trained in Barcelona from July 2015 to March 2016. There was brilliant weather and good courts to play on. I got to play more matches. I also had the opportunity of playing against a lot of good players. But I was there for just 6 months. Ultimately, I think it's the work that I have put in here that makes the difference," he added.
He is the first player who is saying that his training in India benefited him more than the Spanish stint. Otherwise, everyone keeps praising the stints in Spain but the results do not show on tour.
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by VReddy »

Another one on Mukund from Kamesh this time - Article
"The two months that I took to train in Spain, especially with trainer Javier Capitaine, have been the key to my strong game. Now, I have the confidence to compete in the Challengers. I just need more matches at the higher level.

"I have been running behind ranking last couple of years, and it has not worked. It is best to keep focusing on your game and fitness, the rest will be automatic, whether it is a good rank or making the national team. That is what Saketh Myneni and Prajnesh Gunneswaran
have proved. I have learnt these two weeks to just stay focused on the game, when Navaneetha Kannan and Mithun Murali helped me," said Mukund.
Yes Sameer appears like he feels he has gained more around the strengthening / training techniques, etc,. than say around game. He appears like he will target the Challenger series events now. Hopefully he will get some relatively easier draws to enable a smooth transition for him.

Regd the skipping the junior circuit - I think the key element that he pointed is also around resources. The Juniors events do not pay any money (what about accommodation?) and so for a player on a meagre budget, that probably dictates the path he/she takes too?
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by sameerph »

ITF junior tournaments do provide hospitality for all players. But, no prize money. So, it is neutral on that. But, of course one has to spend on travel costs for getting to the country where the tournaments are held. But, then prize money even at ITF futures events are meagre. And a 16-17 year old (unless he is very talented) can hope to win only a round or two at futures level. So, prize money is negligible for that. So, playing junior events does not require much larger resources as compared to futures level.

Ideally, a national association should fund top 3-5 juniors in the country for travelling to higher level junior tournaments. But, I am not sure if AITA does that these days.
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by jaydeep »

Sasi is facing the top-300 Aussie player in the first round.

At $75K Traralgon Challenger, Australia

[R1] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,396) vs Alex Bolt (AUS,290)
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Re: Asian Challengers July-October 2017

Post by sameerph »

Sasi wins the first set 7-5. Some great returns from him in the last game to break Bolt.
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Re: Mukund Sasikumar thread

Post by jaydeep »

Sasi is one set up ... Sasi broke Alex in the 12th game for winning the first set.

At $75K Traralgon Challenger, Australia

[R1] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,422) vs Alex Bolt (AUS,279) 75
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