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Brian Swartz · 07-05-2016, 03:12 PM

Power Horse Cup

Prakash Mooljee headed to Dusseldorf, Germany for his first-ever 250 event. Fortuitiously and unusually, most of the better players in action this week packed the Nice tournament. Mooljee was seeded 2nd here, and would have been no higher than 6th there. 21st-ranked Xavier Caminha was the top seed, but a couple of clay specialists in the 3rd and 4th spots were actually the bigger threats it appeared. This was one of those weeks where things played out pretty much exactly as anticipated. All of the top four made it to the semifinals with ease. Those who have followed Prakash's career closely will recognize his opponent at that stage, Djurdje Moicevic. Moicevic isn't as strong a player as Mooljee but he excels at clay and is playing in front of home fans. It wasn't quite enough, and Mooljee won 6-3, 7-6(4), his second win in their three meetings over the past year and a half. 37th-ranked 3-seed Hugo Deallavadale of France edged Caminha in three sets to become the final hurdle. Another clay specialist, he was arguably the favorite. It was a bad serving day for Prakash, but he still did what he does more often than not, finding a way after a poor first set to rally for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory by virtue of superior baseline consistency.

This is a big win for Mooljee, and should finally and decisively put his challenger days behind him. He'll be at a career-best of roughly 27th or so next week, easily in the seeded positions for Roland Garros, and the rest of the year will be about establishing himself as well as he can in the elite ranks of the sport by replacing his challenger results with bigger tournaments. He's almost six months younger than Girsh was when taking his first 250, and nearly three years younger than Mehul managed it. Some of it was luck with the number of players electing to play in France instead, but whatever it was he'll take it. Onward and upward to greater things.

Coming Up ...

It'll be an RG debut for Mooljee, who'll turn 22 shortly after the tournament completes. Girsh has a small(very) chance to seize the #1 ranking from Mehul here, but he'd have to win the title and Anil would have to lose in the quarterfinals or earlier. The most likely scenario is that Girsh's ascencion will wait until at least after Wimbledon. Caratti is still the favorite of course, and many eyes will be on Iglar's performance, looking to see if he's ready to bounce back into the form of which he is capable.

Dudwadkar will be off be a few more weeks training.

07-05-2016, 03:12 PM	#416
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Power Horse Cup Prakash Mooljee headed to Dusseldorf, Germany for his first-ever 250 event. Fortuitiously and unusually, most of the better players in action this week packed the Nice tournament. Mooljee was seeded 2nd here, and would have been no higher than 6th there. 21st-ranked Xavier Caminha was the top seed, but a couple of clay specialists in the 3rd and 4th spots were actually the bigger threats it appeared. This was one of those weeks where things played out pretty much exactly as anticipated. All of the top four made it to the semifinals with ease. Those who have followed Prakash's career closely will recognize his opponent at that stage, Djurdje Moicevic. Moicevic isn't as strong a player as Mooljee but he excels at clay and is playing in front of home fans. It wasn't quite enough, and Mooljee won 6-3, 7-6(4), his second win in their three meetings over the past year and a half. 37th-ranked 3-seed Hugo Deallavadale of France edged Caminha in three sets to become the final hurdle. Another clay specialist, he was arguably the favorite. It was a bad serving day for Prakash, but he still did what he does more often than not, finding a way after a poor first set to rally for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory by virtue of superior baseline consistency. This is a big win for Mooljee, and should finally and decisively put his challenger days behind him. He'll be at a career-best of roughly 27th or so next week, easily in the seeded positions for Roland Garros, and the rest of the year will be about establishing himself as well as he can in the elite ranks of the sport by replacing his challenger results with bigger tournaments. He's almost six months younger than Girsh was when taking his first 250, and nearly three years younger than Mehul managed it. Some of it was luck with the number of players electing to play in France instead, but whatever it was he'll take it. Onward and upward to greater things. Coming Up ... It'll be an RG debut for Mooljee, who'll turn 22 shortly after the tournament completes. Girsh has a small(very) chance to seize the #1 ranking from Mehul here, but he'd have to win the title and Anil would have to lose in the quarterfinals or earlier. The most likely scenario is that Girsh's ascencion will wait until at least after Wimbledon. Caratti is still the favorite of course, and many eyes will be on Iglar's performance, looking to see if he's ready to bounce back into the form of which he is capable. Dudwadkar will be off be a few more weeks training.