East Asian Challengers, 2019

[sameerph]

Next week East Asian challenger season begins. These are the challengers in this swing-

8 April - $162K Taipei,Taiwan (Indoor Hard)
15 April - $162K Anning, China (Clay)
22 April - $54K Nanchang (Indoor Clay)
29 April - $108K Seoul,Korea (Hard)
6 May- $162K Busan,Korea (Hard)
13 May- $54K Gwanju,Korea (Hard)

Prajnesh, RamK, Saketh and Mukund are in entry list of first 3 weeks in Taiwan,China. But, it seems most probably Prajnesh will be pulling out from Taiwan next week and play directly at Anning. I think he may also skip lower level Nanchang Challenger if he does well at Anning.

Cut-off for these 3 weeks are around 320-325. So, Sumit with a ranking around 350, may have chance to get in. Some of our doubles specialists should also be there.

Not sure if anyone will be playing in Korea. Prajnesh not for sure. Mostly RamK will also move to Europe to prepare for FO qualies. Probably Saketh,Mukund may stay on to play in Korea.

Will we see Yuki come back somewhere in May with PR ?

[arjun2761]

Yuki's six month injury break will be over in mid-April. If he hasn't entered any of these events with either his PR or actual rank, then he must not be fit enough to play.

[sameerph]

Yes, Yuki would have been able to play from second week (Anning) after completing 6 months break. And he would have easily got in with his current ranking. But, he does not seem ready still. As per his insta posts, he has be putting in lot of time in gym but does not seem to be holding tennis racket still. So, looks like still some time away from returning to play.

[sameerph]

As expected, Prajnesh pulled out of next week's Taipei challenger. The cut there has fallen to 355 and Sumit would have made it in. But, his name is scratched from entry list on withdrawal. Not sure what his plans are.

But, as of now, RamK, Saketh and Mukund are 3 Indians playing singles in Taiwan. I guess Bala,Vishnu would play doubles here. Not sure if any of Leander,Jeevan/Purav or Divij are coming to Asia for these big challengers in first 2 weeks.

[jaydeep]

Ram needs to show consistency in his game to remain in the top-150 and move towards the top-100 rankings ... Sasi and Saki r facing similarly ranked opponents in the first round.

At $162K+H Taiwan Santaizi Challenger 2019, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

[R1] (9) Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,140) bye
[R1] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,264) vs Cem Ilkel (TUR,272)
[R1] Saketh Myneni (IND,244) vs Andrew Harris (AUS,297)

[sameerph]

Bala is playing singles qualifiers here.

At $162K+H Taiwan Santaizi Challenger 2019, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

[Q1] N. Sririam Balaji (IND,407) vs. (WC) Chang-Lin Tsai (TPE,NR)

Doubles -

[R1] (3) N.Sriram Balaji (IND) / Jonathan Elirich (ISR) vs. Vishnu Vardhan (IND) / Luca Margaroli (SUI)

[R1] Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) / Saketh Myneni (IND) vs. Soonwo Kwon (KOR)/ Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE)

Bala playing first match, Mukund third match and Saketh fourth match all on court 1 tomorrow with 10 am start.

We had an all Indian singles final here last year between Yuki and RamK. So, hope another strong performance from Indians this year.

[Varma]

Bala is parterning Erlich? Wow...can't believe this guy is still playing. He and Andy Ram were the first well known Israeli players (to me, at least). They were one of the top pairs for a good period of time. He was ranked 5 in doubles back in 2008, the year he won the Australian Open crown partnering Ram. I hope Bala picks his brains and get some wisdom. Of course, a title here would be awesome!

- Varma

[Prashant]

Bala is parterning Erlich? Wow...can't believe this guy is still playing. He and Andy Ram were the first well known Israeli players (to me, at least).

Pretty sure they were the first famous Israeli pair, but both Shlomo Glickstein & Amos Mansdorf were ranked in the top 25-30 in doubles as individuals (paired with non-Israelis). These guys were contemporaries of Ramesh Krishnan.

[sameerph]

Not a good day for us at Taiwan.

Bala qualfies for main draw but both Mukund and Saketh lost in the first round itself against slightly lower ranked opponents.

At $162K+H Taiwan Santaizi Challenger 2019, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

[Q1] N. Sririam Balaji (IND,407) d. (WC) Chang-Lin Tsai (TPE,NR) 62 64

[R1] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,264) l. Cem Ilkel (TUR,272) 36 46

[R1] Saketh Myneni (IND,244) l. Andrew Harris (AUS,297) 67(4) 64 26

[PKBasu]

Saketh seems to be putting too much pressure on himself. He needs to play more freely to break out of this slump.

[arjun2761]

Yes, both Saki and Mukund need to win matches like this if they are to move up further in the rankings. Perhaps, for Mukund, this is a new ranking level and he may need to further develop his game to progress further.

[jaydeep]

Bala lost in three sets against Saville in the first round ... Ram is facing an Aussie Maverick Banes in the second round.

At $162K+H Taiwan Santaizi Challenger 2019, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

[R1] (Q) N. Sriram Balaji (IND,407) vs Luke Saville (AUS,325) 46 76(4) 46

[R2] (9) Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,140) vs Maverick Banes (AUS,272)

[sameerph]

RamK starts with a good easy win.

At $162K+H Taiwan Santaizi Challenger 2019, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

[R2] (9) Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,140) d. Maverick Banes (AUS,272) 63 62

Bala and his partner got a close win against Vishnu and partner.

[R1] (3) N.Sriram Balaji (IND) / Jonathan Elirich (ISR) d. Vishnu Vardhan (IND) / Luca Margaroli (SUI) 64 36 11-9

[R1] Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) / Saketh Myneni (IND) d. Soonwo Kwon (KOR)/ Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) 76(5) 63

Next,

[R3] (9) Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,140) vs. Chien-hsun Lo (TPE,411)

[QF] (3) N.Sriram Balaji (IND) / Jonathan Elirich (ISR) vs. Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) / Saketh Myneni (IND)

[PKBasu]

Great to see Ramkumar winning a round each in singles and doubles. Next round in singles should be even easier.

[Ullhas]

RamK loses first set 4-6.