The Hindu : Sport : Nadal demolishes Rajeev Ram

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Friday, Jan 04, 2008
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Nadal demolishes Rajeev Ram

Nandita Sridhar

Marin Cilic shocks Nicolas Mahut, enters quarterfinals

— Photo: R. Ragu

AWESOME: Rafael Nadal was too good for Rajeev Ram in the second round of the Chennai Open on Thursday.

Chennai: The World No. 2 Spaniard Rafael Nadal was too hot for the U.S.’s Rajeev Ram in the second round of the Chennai Open ATP tournament at the Nungambakkam Stadium here on Thursday. Nadal trounced Rajeev 6-2, 6-1 to make it to the quarterfinals.

The match began with the prospects of a murder. Rajeev’s serve and volley game lacked potency. Nadal procured the match’s first point with a passing shot that proved a fitting response to the American’s mediocre approach.

Not much was required of the top seed on Thursday. Getting into his stride for a baseliner like Nadal against a serve-and-volleyer tends to take a while; but the 23-year-old Rajeev was caught up too much with the enormity of the task to pose problems. Playing an opponent of Nadal’s stature can either freeze or free a lower-ranked player; but the Spaniard’s body language, even at 50 per cent, is the same. The rituals, the biceps, the quick strides are constants repeatedly thrown at you. You don’t just fight Nadal’s shots; you fight his persona.

Facile win

The Spaniard offered two break points in the entire match, which summed up the ease with which he achieved the win.

Rajeev’s volleys were rendered ineffective by a lack of appropriate positioning, and the half-volley seemed tapered down.

The second set was made to look better than it was by the break points on offer. Rajeev’s backhand had acquired a bit of beef, but it was too late for the American. “It is generally difficult to get into rhythm against such players, who serve and volley. Sometimes he hits the shot out and then it comes in, but I managed to get away without much trouble,” said Nadal.

Upset

Fifth seed Nicolas Mahut was upset in the second round by Croat Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-4.

This serve-and-volleyer versus baseliner match that preceded Nadal’s match offered more by way of exchanges. A steady Cilic consistently passed the Frenchman who struggled with his rhythm.

Having made a name for himself as Nikolay Davydenko’s opponent at St. Petersburg when the latter was fined for not trying hard enough, Cilic proved he had a game as well.

The cross-court forehand, in particular, was quick and precise. Mahut’s second serves hurt him the most.

The Frenchman managed eight points on his second serve when compared to Cilic’s 12.

The Croat’s returns proved more effective as well, getting him 34 points when compared to Mahut’s 18.

Winning five games in a row in the first, Cilic proved the steadier one, even in a more evenly fought second set.

The results:

Singles (second round): Rafael Nadal (Esp) bt Rajeev Ram (U.S.) 6-2, 6-1; Marin Cilic (Cro) bt Nicolas Mahut (Fra) 6-2, 6-4; Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Esp) bt Werner Eschauer (Aut) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3).

Wednesday’s results: Singles (second round): Carlos Moya (Esp) bt Alexandre Kudryavtsev (Rus) 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2.

Doubles (second round): Marcos Baghdatis (Cyp) / Marc Gicquel (Fra) bt Yves Allegro (Sui) / Nicolas Mahut (Fra) 6-2, 6-2; Jurgen Melzer (Aut) / Alexander Peya (Aut) bt Eschauer / D. Gremelmayr 6-4, 6-1; Sanchai / Sonchat Ratiwatana (Tha) bt Alexandre Kudryavtsev / Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) ) 6-4, 7-5.

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