Upset
Abuja, May 3, 2018 (NAN) The ongoing Gladiators Systems Limited (GSL) Tennis Open recorded its first major upset on Thursday as Suraj Prabodh sent top seed Youssef Hossam packing in their quarter-final encounter.
Prabodh struggled in the first set but took it before turning Hossam’s weapon – powerful backhand and long forehand balls – against him in the second to secure a 7-6(8), 6-3 victory.
The 19-year-old Hossam is ranked 319 in the ATP standings and seeded number one for the GSL Tennis Open.
Prabodh, 23, is currently ranked 1,075 and had never gone beyond a quarter-final stage in any competition in his entire career.
The Indian told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the match that his tennis improved partly thanks to his opponent’s advice.
“To be frank I just took advice from him when I lost to the same player twice. He was playing top tennis and for the first time I was seeing good tennis at this level.
“So, I tried to apply the advice he gave me and now I have defeated him. He acknowledged me after the game for using his advice to beat him,” he told NAN.
Prabodh also said with the win his confidence level had taken a big boost, as he could now aspire to win the tournament.
“I can’t believe that I have reached the semi-finals by defeating a player I respect so much and who is top seed in this competition. After the match, he told me I should win the title.”
NAN reports that Egyptian Hossam was visibly furious at himself throughout the second set and smashed his racket against the Court 1 floor twice.
Asked if his opponent was overconfident or complacent, Prabodh said: “He was up for the first set, but I managed to take it. Maybe he relaxed a bit but I was the one who had nothing to lose.
“It is a milestone in my career. It’s the first time I’m reaching a semi-final. My best finish before now was a quarter-final finish in my entire career.”
In the last quarter-final game decided on Thursday, there was scintillating tennis on display as the 2018 Dayak Open winner, Maximilian Neuchrist, was edged by Joao Menedes.
In what was described as a “final-before-the-final’’ clash, the 21-year-old Brazilian revenged the defeat he suffered in the hands of Neuchrist at the Dayak Open final with a 7-6(11) 6-4 victory.
The two-hour encounter between the two in-form players produced some good tennis at both ends, with Menedes slightly better at winning service games and breakpoints against the Austrian.
After the match, Menedes told NAN that with its quality, such a game should have been reserved for the final or at least one of the semis.
“Actually it was our third meeting since I came to Nigeria. In the first week I played against him because I was not seeded for the tournament and I beat him.
“In the second game, which was the Dayak final, he beat me. Today was almost like revenge or settling the scores because I lost to him in the Dayak final.
“I knew I had to prove myself. I have studied him better and knew what to do and that was what I did.
“It could have been a semi-final or final that we should play this kind of tennis. I need to rest and think of tomorrow’s semi-final game. Maybe I can reach the final, I don’t know,” he told NAN.
Menedes said every game had been a mental test of perseverance, especially with the harsh weather.
“It has been a good tournament. It’s a bit hot, but then it’s hot for everyone. So, that’s not a problem.
“Every game has been a mental battle and mind game because the conditions are tough. The weather is hot. So, it boils down to who can persevere and take the punches better,” he said. (NAN)
KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)