Sunday, Oct 13, 2002
Sunday, Oct 13, 2002 |
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Asian Games
By A. Vinod
The Thai, ranked 26 in the ATP computer this week, was certainly not in his element today, being troubled by a shoulder injury. Yet, Paradorn's class was very much evident as he strode through the moments of crisis and eventually won 7-6 (3), 6-4. It looked as if Paradorn was in for a stroll as he broke Lee, the second seed, straightaway. But then, the South Korean was quick to return the compliment when the Thai double-faulted his serve thrice in the second game. However, Paradorn despite all his mistakes at the net was able to surge ahead once again breaking Lee for a second time in the seventh game. Lee, fully backed by the near-capacity crowd, however, was not the one to give up that quickly, coming back into the set by equalising at 5-all with a break of Paradorn's serve in the tenth game. The set as it drifted to the tie-breaker saw Paradorn run-up a 5-0 lead before Lee threatened to do the impossible by closing in at 5-3. Paradorn helped by a lucky net chord survived the close call by taking the first set without the loss of any further point. The only second Asian to win an ATP title, Paradorn then looked as if he was touching peak form as he broke Lee again in the second game of the second set. But Lee again was back as he equalised the scores at 4-4 after having broken Paradorn in the seventh game. The Thai was again lucky as held serve in the ninth and then launched himself with a determined effort to complete the exercise by running up a 40-0 lead on Lee's serve on the tenth game. The South Korean was successful in warding off two match points but was to be left stranded as Paradorn came up with one classy forehand cross-court shot. "I felt tight with my right shoulder strapped. And throughout the match, the noise from crowd was also upsetting. I am happy that I could get over both these problems and win the gold for Thailand. It is always a pleasure to play for your country," the champion said. The South Koreans, however, had a lot to cheer later as Kim Mi-Ok and Choi Young-Ja triumphed over the favourites Adiati Wynne Prakusya and Angelique Widjaja (Indonesia) 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3 in a well-contest women's doubles final. The results: men's singles (final): Paradorn Srichaphan (Tha) bt Lee Hyung-Taik (Kor) 7-6 (3), 6-4. Women's doubles (final): Kim Mi-Ok/Choi Young-Ja (Kor) bt Adiati Wynne Prakusya/Angelique Widjaja (Ina) 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3.
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