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Brian Swartz · 06-06-2016, 05:18 PM

Paris Masters

I didn't have time to take a close look at the Race standings coming into Paris, but as it was it would have been moot. Thiago Herrera went awol, not even entering practice tournaments going in. That made him fall even further behind, and then he lost in the third round to a qualifier -- the fourth-ranked Peruvian, Andre Herrera who impressively made the quarterfinals. So that was pretty much that, just a matter of how the final standings shook out, but the eight-man field with Kinczllers and Trulsen in was assured. Shreya Ujjaval, who lost in the first round last year, qualified and made it one further before meeting Kinczllers.

Other than that, everything pretty much went as expected early on. Mehul had a bit of trouble with Kinczllers and Benda was pushed a bit by Herrera but the top four seeds all went through in straight sets to the semifinals. Mehul topped Benda fairly routinely, and in a much closer match Girsh beat Antonin Iglar for the second straight time, 6-4, 7-6(4). That set up a second all-Sri Lanka final in less than a month. All signs pointed to the fresher Anil Mehul, who didn't play the previous week, taking this one again. But for the first time this year, Girish Girsh got the upper hand and his 3rd Masters Shield, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. He was the more persistent returner in an otherwhise close match, and snapped a five-match losing streak.

Elsewhere ...

The others were in action too as I mentioned. Prakash Mooljee was the top seed at tier-2 challenger Medellin, where the biggest concern was third-seeded Spaniard Simon Davila. They met in the final but it was a pretty routine 6-1, 6-4 success for Mooljee who also won in doubles. The latter victory will have impact beyond this week -- he will now replace Kuttikad as Ujjaval's partner in the WTC Final. Quite a place to make your first appearance ...

Ritwik Dudwadkar nearly pulled off the twin killing in Benin City as well, but lost a final already worn out from previous matches, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Despite that it was another fine week, and he gets the next one completely off.

Coming Up ...

Nothing for a couple weeks, then the World Tour Finals are upon us. Mooljee will also play in the final challenger of the year that week.

06-06-2016, 05:18 PM	#381
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Paris Masters I didn't have time to take a close look at the Race standings coming into Paris, but as it was it would have been moot. Thiago Herrera went awol, not even entering practice tournaments going in. That made him fall even further behind, and then he lost in the third round to a qualifier -- the fourth-ranked Peruvian, Andre Herrera who impressively made the quarterfinals. So that was pretty much that, just a matter of how the final standings shook out, but the eight-man field with Kinczllers and Trulsen in was assured. Shreya Ujjaval, who lost in the first round last year, qualified and made it one further before meeting Kinczllers. Other than that, everything pretty much went as expected early on. Mehul had a bit of trouble with Kinczllers and Benda was pushed a bit by Herrera but the top four seeds all went through in straight sets to the semifinals. Mehul topped Benda fairly routinely, and in a much closer match Girsh beat Antonin Iglar for the second straight time, 6-4, 7-6(4). That set up a second all-Sri Lanka final in less than a month. All signs pointed to the fresher Anil Mehul, who didn't play the previous week, taking this one again. But for the first time this year, Girish Girsh got the upper hand and his 3rd Masters Shield, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. He was the more persistent returner in an otherwhise close match, and snapped a five-match losing streak. Elsewhere ... The others were in action too as I mentioned. Prakash Mooljee was the top seed at tier-2 challenger Medellin, where the biggest concern was third-seeded Spaniard Simon Davila. They met in the final but it was a pretty routine 6-1, 6-4 success for Mooljee who also won in doubles. The latter victory will have impact beyond this week -- he will now replace Kuttikad as Ujjaval's partner in the WTC Final. Quite a place to make your first appearance ... Ritwik Dudwadkar nearly pulled off the twin killing in Benin City as well, but lost a final already worn out from previous matches, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Despite that it was another fine week, and he gets the next one completely off. Coming Up ... Nothing for a couple weeks, then the World Tour Finals are upon us. Mooljee will also play in the final challenger of the year that week.