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Old 12-10-2015, 11:32 AM   #205
Brian Swartz
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: May 2006
Italian Open(Juniors)

Seems that the third round is a consistent roadblock for Mooljee in the big events. In this case it was unseeded Brazilian specialist Andreas de Sousa who narrowly defeated him, though he did reach the final in doubles.

Madrid Masters

Girish Girsh had a tough first-rounder in Argentine Gustavo Caratti. He started well, taking the first set in a tiebreak after losing a lead initially, but Caratti got better as the match went on to win in three. This is a case where it was just an unfortunate draw; on clay, no shame in losing this. 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-1 was the final.

Mehul had himself a couple of tough matches early on against journeymen, but proven operators on the dirt. German Harald Oncken went down in a tight straight-sets match, followed by a closer one against 16-seed Max Benitez(ARG). After losing the first set, Anil rallied for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win aided by 18 aces.

Alvarez waited in the quarters and Mehul just folded here unfortunately, taking just four games. Not an inspiring effort by any means. The surprise of the tournament was Peru's Thiago Herrera, who edged past Iglar after the no. 1 had barely escaped the clutches of Bahana, and went on to reach the final. The winner was Benda who showed no signs of relinquishing his turf.


Rome Masters

Back at it again, Girsh had a second-round date with Oncken after a competitive win in the first round. I expected him to lose this one, but he came through with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win. Iglar flattened him in the following round, but it was a credible showing overall with the Oncken victory.

Anil Mehul found his road a bit easier this time. A routine win over Orziz, and a flattening of Federer including a bagel led him to a quarterfinal tilt with Marcel Bahana. This one was a heck of a match, and showcased the rising Spaniard's mental game. Mehul had him but could not put him away in the key moments, and youth was ultimately served 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4). Benda awaited in the semis and the outcome there was pretty much known but it was still the first match between the king of clay and the heir apparent. The German won 6-2, 6-4, convincing enough that it's clear it will be at least another year. He takes the title here as well, and in both weeks he did not lose a set. Herrera had another good week, this time losing a close one to Iglar in the semis. He's vaulted himself ahead of Bahana and into the Top 10, announcing himself as a serious customer at least on the clay.

Coming Up ...

Junior Roland Garros is next week with the pro version starting the following week. Made a bit of an error in not giving Mehul or Girsh practice tournaments in the off week, so they had to play a lot of sessions against each other. Hate when I miss the chance for better training like that, even though one week doesn't make a huge difference.

In any case, RG is up next and it looks like Girsh has been surpassed by just enough players to knock him out of the Top 16 seeds .
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