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Old 09-27-2015, 02:29 AM   #150
Brian Swartz
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: May 2006
World Team Cup, Level 1 Playoffs
Sri Lanka vs. Peru, Clay

Monday

The first day featured Girish Girsh and the better of Peru's two singles players, Thiago Herrera. What I didn't realize is that Thiago hadn't prepared himself well, coming in somewhat on the rusty side. Girsh seized the opportunity and battled back for a hard-fought, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(4) win. It was a long tiring match, but one that gave Sri Lanka a fantastic start.

Tuesday

With Anil Mehul going up against their #2, Marcelo Herrera, this figured to be on the gimme in this tie. That's pretty much how it worked out; Mehul won in straights, 6-1, 7-5, 6-1. We were now up 2-0, one win away.

Wednesday

Girsh & Mehul tangled with D. Ciruana/J. Torres in the doubles, and it didn't look good early. Like Girsh had in his singles match on the first day though, they rallied to win it in four. The final was 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. Overall it was pretty even, but after the first set we were the better pair. On break chances, Sri Lanka was 8 of 15, Peru just 6 of 18. And that clinched it, an insurmountable 3-0 lead!

Thursday

Mehul completed a perfect WTC singles season, 14 ties won against zero defeats. Today's foe was Thiago Herrera, who was able to make it competitive but that's about it, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

Friday

Going for a previously unthinkable clean sweep, Girsh was tripped by Marcelo in the finale. Aside from the second set, it was really quite a disappointing one-sided affair; 6-1, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2. Girsh had a bad day in general, but particularly serving. Fortunately, it didn't cost us.

Sri Lanka defeats Peru, 4-1!

I expect our opponent here will probably return to this point and try to make it back up next year. While the brothers Herrera are overly focused on clay and as we saw this week, not always well-managed, they are talented enough to be a marginal Level 1 nation and should be around for several years. We could well see them again.

More importantly, Sri Lanka has reached the grown-up level. Peru's loss is our gain, and after last year's disappointment we have pushed through with a perfect run through Level 2, which is now in the rear-view mirror.
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