Canas justifies top ranking

Opening the proceedings on center court on Thursday (Day 4 of the Tata Open 2002) was top seed Guillermo Canas (ARG), who took on qualifier Ivo Karlovic (CRO). The 6ft 11inch-tall Croatian, had only dropped his serve once in his four matches so far (three qualifying matches) going into the second round.

Canas started off returning well, and broke Karlovic in the third game itself. Karlovic fought back, breaking Canas in the sixth game to even things up at 3-3, and then pounding four consecutive aces in the very next game. But the top seed kept his cool, broke the Croatian to go up 6-5 and then served out to win the set 7-5.

Despite breaking Canas’ serve once in the second set, the Croatian seemed to lose his nerve, and was broken in three consecutive service games, succumbing to the No.1 seed 7-5, 6-2.

“It was tough in the beginning, he has a big serve, and it was the first time I played him, so he broke me in the first set,” said Canas. “But I played the important points very well, and broke him three times in a row in the second set, which was good. I am feeling great now, feeling confident, and good to be in the quarterfinals,” he added.

Also advancing into the round of eight was third seed Fabrice Santoro (FRA), who easily overcame Irakli Labadze (GEO) in straight sets 6-2 6-3. The stylish Frenchman played his usual two-handed backhand and forehand slices, giving the young Georgian a lesson in finesse.

Santoro now moves into the quarterfinal round, where he will meet Karol Kucera (SVK), who earlier used all his experience to overcome Dennis van Scheppingen (NED) in straight sets 7-5, 7-6(2).

Earlier, on the outside courts, Jiri Vanek (CZE) had a tough match, coming back from being a set down to win the second set tie break, and eventually the match over Noam Okun (ISR) 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. He will meet Canas in the quarterfinals.

But what the fans in Chennai were really waiting for was the doubles match-up between the top-seeded Indian pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi against Thomas Johansson (SWE) and Andrei Pavel (ROM).

And as the center-court crowds screamed for the local heroes, they were not disappointed, as “Lee-Hesh” fought off a tough challenge to prevail 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

In other doubles action, the third-seeded Czech pair of Franticek Cermak and Petr Luxa rolled over Indians Prahlad Srinath and Ajay Ramaswamy 6-2, 6-2, while the fourth-seeded Czech pair of Tomas Cibulec and Ota Fukarek had to fight hard against Argentines Lucas Arnold and Guillermo Canas to win 7-6(7), 7-6(6).

In tomorrow’s action on Centre Court, top seed Guillermo Canas (ARG) takes on Jiri Vanek (CZE), Paradorn Srichaphan (THA) takes on second-seeded Thomas Johansson (SWE), top seeded doubles pair Mahesh Bhupathi-Leander Paes take on Juan Balcells (ESP) – George Bastl (SUI), and Alex Calatrava (ESP) takes on Andrei Pavel (ROM). The outside court will see Fabrice Santoro (FRA) against Karol Kucera (SVK).

The Tata Open 2002 - Complete Coverage