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Tennis
Srichaphan conquers Chennaites' hearts
By K. Keerthivasan
CHENNAI, JAN. 6. He was the winner despite going down fighting in the singles final of the Tata Open at the SDAT-Nungambakkam Stadium here on Sunday. Yes, Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan had the crowd under his feet, literally.
The crowd rooted for him right from the start, egging him on when Canas was really firing on all cylinders, running after each and every ball. The cries of oohs and aahs were heard whenever Srichaphan missed a volley or a shot.
Call it the Asian connection or whatever you will, the crowd went gaga over the 22 year-old Thai. He really endeared himself to the people of Chennai. That namaste gesture of his after the end of every match only increased his fan following.
At the start of the tournament, little was expected of him when he came as an alternate for Vladimir Voltchkov. The soft-spoken boy was considered just a number who would play his bit and pave way quietly for the others, and in quick time too.
Except for Patrick Rafter claiming the title in the
1998 edition, no other top seed has made an impression. So history was also against the top seed winning here. That was all the more reason for the crowd to back Srichaphan.
Srichaphan made everybody sit up and take notice when he dispatched the big serving Max Mirnyi and 2001 winner Andrei Stoliarov. He continued with the giant-killing act packing off the second seed Thomas Johannson, and Andrei Pavel, the fourth seed, on his way to the maiden ATP final.
On court, the day clearly belonged to the top seed Guillermo Canas, who played percentage tennis, never allowing Srichaphan any sort of leeway.
Though the Argentine was given a big applause, the crowds in their heart of hearts wanted Srichaphan to lift the trophy.
Canas said later that the victory will make a few tennis people happy at a time when his country is facing an economic crisis.
Was he nervous on his first ever ATP final, No, said Srichaphan. ``He (Canas) played really well, got the ball back every time I tried too hard.''
He added that he had to work on his physical fitness more for the coming matches. ``It's been a great week for me. I'm realy happy about my performance here. The crowd support was excellent.'' He signed off by saying ``I'll be back here next year.''
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