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Brian Swartz · 08-15-2016, 01:18 PM

February/March

It was busier than usual for this time of year. Ritwik Dudwadkar was first up, going back down a level in a light week for a tier-4 event in Algeria. He won singles easily and just scraped through for the doubles title as well. A successful week that adds a bit to his points total but not enough to keep up with the crowd of players moving up to better events. It'll be some time yet before things stabilize for him.

Prakash Mooljee entered the Delray Beach 250 the next week, I thought about the Rio 500 but the field was a little too strong there. Seeded third, he got a significant challenge with Pierce Gaskell, world no. 5, in the semifinals. It was a class Mooljee comeback as he outwilled Gaskell despite a slow start, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3). He looked to be home free for the title at that point but was surprised by Garreth McCuskey in a straight-sets final. One good win followed by disappointment.

The next week, both Mooljee and Anil Mehul headed off to Mexico for the Acapulco 500. Mooljee was stunned by homestanding Andres Guardado 6-4, 6-4 in the first round, a match that like his first this year to Niklas he controlled most of. Mooljee lost all three break points though and goes down for the fourth time this year. This was a week where he had a real chance to make up some ground on the fading veterans above him in the rankings, and this is a tough loss. He's definitely not getting the fast start this season that I'd hoped for. Mehul coasted to the final, where he edged Gaskell 7-6(12), 6-4. The American was just good enough to give himself a chance, particularly in that epic first set, but Mehul got through for his 30th career professional title, 5th in the 500s.

Coming Up ...

A lot is on the line at Indian Wells and Miami. Girsh is still undefeated but he'll need to keep that going to have any chance of staying #1; last year he won both these events while Iglar lost in the semis. Mooljee needs a strong push over these next few weeks to get into the Top 16 for the clay season, an important goal for him.

08-15-2016, 01:18 PM	#467
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	February/March It was busier than usual for this time of year. Ritwik Dudwadkar was first up, going back down a level in a light week for a tier-4 event in Algeria. He won singles easily and just scraped through for the doubles title as well. A successful week that adds a bit to his points total but not enough to keep up with the crowd of players moving up to better events. It'll be some time yet before things stabilize for him. Prakash Mooljee entered the Delray Beach 250 the next week, I thought about the Rio 500 but the field was a little too strong there. Seeded third, he got a significant challenge with Pierce Gaskell, world no. 5, in the semifinals. It was a class Mooljee comeback as he outwilled Gaskell despite a slow start, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3). He looked to be home free for the title at that point but was surprised by Garreth McCuskey in a straight-sets final. One good win followed by disappointment. The next week, both Mooljee and Anil Mehul headed off to Mexico for the Acapulco 500. Mooljee was stunned by homestanding Andres Guardado 6-4, 6-4 in the first round, a match that like his first this year to Niklas he controlled most of. Mooljee lost all three break points though and goes down for the fourth time this year. This was a week where he had a real chance to make up some ground on the fading veterans above him in the rankings, and this is a tough loss. He's definitely not getting the fast start this season that I'd hoped for. Mehul coasted to the final, where he edged Gaskell 7-6(12), 6-4. The American was just good enough to give himself a chance, particularly in that epic first set, but Mehul got through for his 30th career professional title, 5th in the 500s. Coming Up ... A lot is on the line at Indian Wells and Miami. Girsh is still undefeated but he'll need to keep that going to have any chance of staying #1; last year he won both these events while Iglar lost in the semis. Mooljee needs a strong push over these next few weeks to get into the Top 16 for the clay season, an important goal for him.