Skip to main content

Ramkumar draws qualifier in Chennai Open, Saketh to play Youzhny

Chennai: Indias top-ranked singles tennis player Saketh Myneni drew a potentially explosive clash against Russias Mikhail Youzhny in the opening round of the Aircel Chennai Open that gets underway at the SDAT Stadium here on Monday.

The country's only other challenger in the singles, Ramkumar Ramanathan, got lucky though, drawing a qualifier for his first match of the new year.

In doubles, India's top pair of Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan will take on Marcelo Demoliner of Brazil and Croatia's Nikola Mektic while the other pair of Purav Raja and Divij Sharan will run into countryman Leander Paes and his Brazilian partner Andre SA.

As is the norm, all top four seeds -- Marin Cilic (No. 1 seed, World No. 6), Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 2 seed, World No. 14), Albert Ramos-Vinolas (No. 3 seed, World No. 27) and Martin Klizan (No. 4 seed, World No. 35) -- got first round byes. They will get into action only on Wednesday.

Saketh, who was part of the draw ceremony looked unfazed when he realised who his opponent was. He conceded that he has to be on top of his game to drive past the highly consistent Youzhny.

"Yes, it is going to be a big challenge for me. He has been a top player for so many years," he said.

"I have to bring out my best if I want to make a good start to 2016. I am looking forward to it," he added.

The defending Asian Games mixed doubles gold medallist and men's doubles silver meadallist is brimming with confidence after a highly successful year.

"I was out for two months following a surgery. I had a good off-season and I am ready for 2017," he declared.

Ramkumar heaved a sigh of relief when he learnt that he was not up against a heavyweight on the first day itself.

But he also conceded that he has an anxious wait ahead as his opponent will be known only on Sunday evening.

"It doesn't matter. I will try to do my best, like I always do," he said.

He agreed that he would be aiming to pull off a few more upsets like he did last year.

"That's what everyone wants to attain, right?" he asked.

"Let's see how this year goes," he added.

Stay updated on the go with Sify Live Scores App. Click here to download it for your device



via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2iuNmuf
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Manchester United to do everything to get Rashford ready for Liverpool clash

Leeds [UK], Jan 16 (ANI): Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said they will do 'everything' they can to get Marcus Rashford in shape for the Liverpool clash. Rashford sustained a back injury on Thursday during the FA Cup clash against Wolves on Thursday and left the field. "He's a quick healer and he'll play through some pain, definitely, if he's capable, if it's not a bad, bad injury. But we've seen that he's struggled lately - but more when he's been tired," Goal.com quoted Solskjaer as saying. "He wasn't on long enough to be tired so I think it might have been something that just happened there and then. He's been absolutely top this season so we'll do everything we can to get him fit for Sunday. If he's not then we'll play without him," he added. Manchester United secured a 1-0 win against Wolves with the help of Juan Mata's strike. Manchester United will take on Liverpool in Premier L...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pogba is one of best players when in form: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Leeds [UK], Dec 7 (ANI): Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised midfielder Paul Pogba, saying that he is one of the best players in the world when he is in good touch. "Paul is going to play when he gets his fitness. He is one of the best players in the world when he's in form and we just need to give him time to be 100 per cent fit," Goal.com quoted Solskjaer as saying. Pogba has endured a frustrating 2019-20 campaign to date, having only managed five Premier League appearances in total due to a string of fitness issues. He is currently recovering from an ankle injury and last played for the club on September 30 against Arsenal. Solskjaer had said that the France international will be out of action till December. "It might be 45 minutes in the first game, it might be half an hour, it might be 90. It depends on what game he comes back in and I'm looking back to get Paul back to where I had him about a year ago," Solskjaer said. ...
Post a Comment
Read more