The year 2010 started off on a good note and what more, got to watch the Chennai Open!! The ATP tournament had been happening each year, for the last 15 years and it's the only ATP Tennis tournament in India!! This year too, boasted of some big names like Robin Soderling, Marin Cilic, Stanislas Wawrinka, Janko Tipsarevic and former greats like Carlos Moya. Thankfully, were able to watch the match, unlike last year when we couldn't get tickets and were left disappointed!
As we entered the stadium the match was already underway between Robin Soderling (Sweden) and Robby Ginepri (USA). Soderling is currently ranked 8th in the world and is the top seed here. But, he looked totally out-of-sorts. He, however, tried to regain in the second set but it was a little too late, as Ginepri finished out the match 6-4, 7-5
Before playing here, Soderling had won an exhibition match against Roger Federer in Abu Dhabi and also being the top seed, much was expected out of him.
The next match in Centre Court was the most awaited one, between Somdev Devvarman and Rainer Schuettler of Germany (Rank: 85). Even though Schuettler was ranked higher than Somdev, we had expected the match to be an easy one for Somdev since he would have the advantage of playing at home and also the fact that the one-time World No.5 is well past his prime!
But, it was not to be as, Schuettler almost made quick work of the first set and sailing to a 5-2 lead!! It was only then Somdev lifted his game up and won five games in a row to take the first set 7-5. From then on, there was no looking back as he finished out the second set at 6-2 and the match.
The next match on Centre Court was between the Doubles - Olympic gold medal winner, Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and Rohan Bopanna. It was a blink-and-miss first set as Wawrinka finished it off in no time!
But, time it was, for us to leave. I should thank my friends Rajesh & Sathish, for getting the tickets and also for making the evening a memorable one! :-)
Update: Marin Cilic and Stanislas Wawrinka battled it out in the final and Cilic prevailed at 7-6, 7-6. Thus successfully defending his title.
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