$15K+H ITF Futures, Chennai (March 21)

[Kumar]

HM Reaches Finals as Delgado runs scared!!!

Harsh started off great holding serve comfortably.. Then he immediately troubled Delgado’s serve taking him to Deuce three times, before FH error saw Delgado holding for 1-1… In third game with the help of three deep serves to which Delgado had only a feeble answer, HM holds serve (love game) for 2-1 lead… With JD’s DF, a breath taking BHDL (down the line) winner Harsh quickly took a 0-30 lead and with another good return breaks JD for 3-1 lead… 5th game saw Harsh starting off with an ‘ACE’ and a Great drop shot to take a 4-1 lead (40-15)… At this juncture, JD called for medical timeout and had a physio look at him… JD comes back from a timeout seeming fresh and quickly holds – 4-2 Harsh leading… 7th game Harsh started off with two errors to go down 0-30 quickly.. An ace was not sufficient as he had one more errors to lose serve.. Both Delgado and Harsh held serve to take the score to 6-5… In the 11th game Harsh had an uncharacteristic service game with two DFs… In the 12th game, Harsh had the crowd in raptures with FH DL winner and with help of JD’s errors broke JD for 7-5 lead..

Harsh looked pretty solid in the first set with all the ground strokes looking good… It was interesting to see Harsh not volleying as much as he was doing in the first few days… His serve was still shop with few aces , except for one service game where he had two DFs… The quality of tennis in the first set was high and JD also hit some stunning BH winners…During this set, a gentleman asked me to tone down by cheering and took offense to my cheering JD’s errors…

Second set
In second set Harsh was taken to deuce in the first service game and again with the aid of deep serve took a 1-0…. Then Harsh immediately had a BP with a beautiful BHPS (passing shot) and broke JD when he dumped to the net… Now HM was getting in to rhythm and held serve with two aces to take a 3-0 lead.. Just when I was getting ready for a whitewash, JD threw down his towel and the match was stopped due to dehydration…

All in all, another Match where HM had a very good first set but didn’t need to exert himself wholly in this humid Chennai Climate… Later HM attributed the DFs to wind and said it is really humid out there (right from day 1)… He felt that he still was making some mistakes and need to cut down on that... Was hoping for a complete game tomorrow... Now HM faces Capkovic and if both of them play well, it could be an absolute barnburner….
[/b]

[Red_Indian]

What's with Harsh's opponents throwing in the towel... talk about total demolition jobs by Harsh

[Kumar]

Karan Shows his true grit.. but still loses

After two straight impressive three set wins over higher ranked players, the question upper most in the minds of Indian tennis fans was Can KR come back fresh and fully re-charged… And the answer was evident in the very first service game when KR was definitely looking a little sluggish and lost serve like yesterday …

Capkovic started really strong breaking twice for quick 4-0 lead… Then KR slowed the bleeding a little holding serve coming back from 15-40 down to hold serve saving three break points in the process… 6th Game was another long drawn affair with KR taking Capkovic to three deuces before Capkovic hits a perfect drop shot for 5-1 lead… At this time it looked like KR was out cold.. Then KR showed the spirit that makes him special … After holding to 5-2, Karan with a great IOFH (Inside outside FH) winner and FH Passing shot broke Capkovic at love to narrow the lead to 5-3… Again holding serve easily was able to get closer with 5-4… But in 10th game, the Slovakian’s superior but inconsistent serve was evident when he quickly took a 40-love lead but made two DFs to give KR and his thundering fans a slim hope… But with another good serve sewed up the set 6-4…

Second set…
After some great tennis towards the end of the first set, KR had some momentum.. And took a 40-15 lead.. Then the trouble started as he frittered away his advantage and three game points to lose serve… At this juncture, the spectators could feel the momentum had finally swung the Tall Slovakian way… After losing KR was trying different things to upset Capkovic’s rhythm and slowed down the game… But Capkovic was just in a cruise mode and nothing seemed to be affecting him.. KR lost serve again in 3rd game with an lazy FH slice and Slovakian took a quick 40 lead again in the second set…Fifth game saw Karan changing his tactics again to go for winners and saw him making lot of errors… But with an ace and two great serves was able to stave off a BP and hold serve 4-1… Sixth game saw KR start off with a deep return and charging to the net only to see Capkovic pass him effortlessly… Capkovic holds serve 5-1… KR again holds serve after a huge effort. 5-2… Then Capkovic took a medical time out (was probably dehydrated) and came back to close out the deal to take the set 62 and match 64 62

Today was a day when nothing seemed to be working for Karan, whose movement was really hampered by all the three setters… His drop shot had completely deserted him and he made more errors than usual… Looked little flustered… I think with little more experience and physical conditioning Karan would have won this game… As far as his opponent, Capkovic is really imposing(around 6’6” at least) and has a lot of strokes.. His serve (currently inconsistent) once starts falling in, We can see him breaking into top 100 soon..

All in all, a tremendous performance from Karan, who has made me a true believer !!! His demeanor is so intensive that fire seems to be glowing from his eyes…But on the court he still presents a calm façade to the world outside… Go Karan

Report from KaranDoss

[Kumar]

Help Again!!!

Guys help me with the conundrum I am facing for tomorrow's final…As usual I was the lone ‘Voice’ cheering for HM… But ‘True’ tennis fans seem to be objecting to my ‘Cheering’ the errors (which I avoided today). As I had posted in the Match report earlier an Indian spectator took objection to my cheering the errors, citing that it was not a proper etiquette… But our players were perfectly happy and enthused with my cheering… While the opponents seem to be irritated… A spectator told me after the Bofors match that Capkovic while walking past me cast a Dagger look at me… So what should I do tomorrow (finals is at 3:00 pm IST)… I will leave the decision to Indian Tennis fans… Should I cheer for winners only or should I cheer for everything? Capkovic plays with lot of passion shouting loudly whether he is losing or winning… Can I disrupt his rhythm by cheering loudly for Harsh?

[Dhruv]

an Indian spectator took objection to my cheering the winners, citing that it was not a proper etiquette…

Cheers the winners , don't you mean errors. My theory is don't initiate but if the oppononets initiate (like you mentioned in Uzbek match) in that case the gloves are off.

[PKBasu]

Oh, absolutely, Kumar. Continue doing what you are doing.
I would have done exactly what you are doing.
In fact, I once took an American friend to watch LP-MB play the Woodies in the final of the Heineken Open here, and gave him the shock of his life when he first found out how much lung power I can generate when Indian players are playing. (Especially since he was more used to listening to me soberly talking about economics, markets, asset pricing, etc.). He initially went red with embarrassment, but he was soon chuckling, and still remembers the experience fondly. As long as the Indian player is enjoying, I don't think there's any reason to stop.
(I once did the same for Ramesh Krishnan, when he was playing Michael Tebbutt at the US Open; the latter complained about me and my friends -- a Sikh and a Pakistani Christian -- to the umpire, but he ruled in our favour, since we were cheering only between points; afterwards, though, Ramesh didn't seem too pleased with my performance either.... now THAT's a bit different, as I still don't know if I helped or hindered him on the day; but if Harsh/Karan is enjoying it, and I guess they are, you shouldn't curb your natural instincts!!).

[PKBasu]

Dhruv's advice is better than mine. Don't cheer the opponent's errors too much, unless the other side throws down the gauntlet.

[jaydeep]

Yes Kumar suggestions r right, that start with so called 'tennis etiquettes' on the court, but anyone from opposition overstep those etiquettes then go from right and left to cheer our boy ... We all r supporting u, we know u r great judge of the situation ... Remember bring home the glory ...

Kumar nice reports ... Good to see that when KR wasn't fit still he tried hard to gave his best ... Hopefully after improving physical fitness and strength he will overcome this ... And what one can say about Harsh's performance ... Simply amazing and professional one ...

Jaydeep.

[vishnureddy]

Those fans have objections even though you support at the end of the points . Jeez i can't imagine what their reaction would have been during the Hyd Open. I would say continue cheering for every point afterall it is the final. If you want to follow those etiquettes then follow Dhruv's advice only if Harsh is on a roll but if Harsh is in trouble or if the match looks tight then just let it out on all points won by Harsh except DF's b'coz what's the point of going there if you can't support your own player

[jayakris]

[Final] R.Bopanna/ V.Kannan d. I.Cerovic/ K.Gruber, 64 36 76(5)

Here is the PTI match report --

Rophan Bopanna and Vijay Kannan clinched the doubles title, getting the better of Ivan Cerovic (Cro) and Konstantin Grubber (Aut) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5) in a marathon three hour encounter.

The Indian duo broke Grubber's seventh game for the vital lead to take the first set. But the visitors' regrouped in the second and drew level with a break in the (Kannan's) 6th game.

Games went on serve in the decider. Though Bopanna trailed 0-1 in the tiebreak, Kannan went on to lead 3-2. With Cerovic winning two games (4-3), it was Bopanna's turn to wrest the initiative. Kannan played superbly from close to the net to lead 5-4 and then broke Grubber's service game for 6-5. Kannan served out for the match (7-5).

Yeah!

Jay

[gvhvhg]

YEAH HARSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great going Karan as well!!

Kumar, keep it up. They probably just arent used to cheering at a futures. If it was an ATP event it would be accepted. Your aren't doing anything wrong, even if they are making it seem like you are.

[jayakris]

Ah blow it .. Indians worry too much about "what people think about us"

Despite all our great worries, we don't get credit for anything anyway. The world anyway think of us mostly only as OK people - not particularly gentlemanly or anything (despite all the gentlemanliness we attribute to ourselves), even if they don't think Indians are boorish.

Indians should get over this 'what will the world think?" complex, which manifests even in smaller things like cheering at an event. We first blame ourselves and say these things may not be happening in other places...

So, the point I am making is (:)), go and cheer to your hearts' content, however you want it and ignore the Indian "gentlemen" who worry too much.

A little trick would help. Train yourself not to look like you are cheering the opponent's mistake. ie, the opponent puts something in the net, you should cheer "Yeah harsh, great shot!" even if it was an unforced error and Harsh's shot had nothing to do with it.

If you want to cheer a double fault by the opponent, and end up shouting "Yeah", then immediately add "Come on Harsh, Right here! Right here!" (the Harsh part louder, and it is important to do that!) .. That makes it look like you are basically encouraging harsh to make use of the opportunity rather than cheering the DF. But it makes the opponent as down as you want him to be about his mistake! ... Think a bit and you will figure out many other similar situations. Be a loud but cerebral cheerer, in other words

Jay

[amr090]

haha all this advice was amusing. I was really cheering Harsh on last summer in DC as well. I think you should just cheer Harsh on when he makes good plays. No point cheering the other guys errors, to try to annoy him. Just be vocal when Harsh does something well or more importatntly on key points. If you cheer loudly on key points then the opponent will get nervous pressurized and make errors.

[Kumar]

Guys thanx for all the replies...

A little trick would help. Train yourself not to look like you are cheering the opponent's mistake. ie, the opponent puts something in the net, you should cheer "Yeah harsh, great shot!" even if it was an unforced error and Harsh's shot had nothing to do with it.

Jay, Actually that gentleman pointed it out when JD hit HM's deep serve out and I clapped and cheered... His point was that is an error.. But I agrued vehemently with him that it was a good serve... And then to make my point clear, I clearly Shouted 'Great Serve' or great return or Great shot or 'Come On Harsh'... But on Aces and incredible Winners, I let out a big yell, thatz probably heard a long way back...

In fact when I pointed out the comments of that 'gentlemen' to HM, HM said ignore it and keep doing what you are doing...

If I had been an individual Indian tennis, I would have probably not worried and just cheered to my heart content... but as I am also representing Tennis India, wanted to make sure you guys approve..

But I will keep in mind Dhurv's suggestion and Vishnu's idea also... I have probably put some burrs under Capkovic saddle the other day and hopefully can put more sharp burrs...

[BSharma]

Great going, Harsh. Keep it up and win over the Chennai crowd with your superb play.

Best of luck.