Final
Abuja, May 4, 2018 (NAN) Suraj Prabodh’s fairytale journey at the GSL Tennis Open ended on Friday in Abuja when he lost to Indian compatriot Arjun Kadhe 6-3 3-6 6-1.
In the other semi-final game, high-flying fifth seed Moez Echargui succumbed to the superior game plan of Joao Menezes, who will now face Kadhe in the final.
In their semi-final match, fourth seed Kadhe brought Prabodh back to earth in a remarkable tournament that has seen him beat top seed Youssef Hossam to reach his first-ever career semi-final.
As it was in the quarter-finals, Prabodh was strong with his backhand.
But inexperience at this level of a tournament told on him as he gifted Kadhe valuable points by committing unforced errors.
Kadhe, a more experienced player, had told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that reaching the final would boil down to persistence.
It was exactly what the 24-year-old from Pune in India did, as he was contented with wearing out his compatriot before pouncing on him with long and powerful forehand smashes.
However, Prabodh rallied in the second set and took it 6-3, before Kadhe’s service game superiority gave him the edge to brush Prabodh aside 6-1 in the third set.
Kadhe told NAN after the game that he would have to be more consistent to stand a chance of winning the tournament.
“It’s my first final match but it was not the best tennis today as it was very patchy for me. But what really matters is that I got the win.
“It was not consistent tennis. I played a decent first set, but played a really bad second set. I was love-five down but I fought hard and that is what matters,” he explained.
On his assessment of final match opponent Menezes, Kadhe said the Brazilian would be a difficult opponent.
“Both players in the second semi-final game are great. They are beasts and I will have to be at my best to beat Joao in the final.’’
He also claimed that fatigue had started setting in on the players, but a sight at the trophy would remain his motivation.
“It’s normal. It boils down to giving your best and taking care of your body.
“It does get physical because it’s very hot in the court. It is hot outside and hotter in the court because the concrete heats up. So, it’s not easy.”
On his part, Pradbodh told NAN that he was leaving Nigeria with his head held high and with valuable experience which would help improve his game.
“Obviously I had a better game yesterday and I couldn’t switch on physically the way I did against Youssef Hossam.
“But overall it’s been a good week for me and I will learn from my mistakes and get better.
“What I had as game plan and strategy did not go well. So, I miscalculated.
“I had to change my plans and I knew I was going to get punished for playing like that because Suraj is a very good player and he followed up well.
“Like I said, it was the first time I reached a semi-final in my entire career. I’m sure I’ll move up in the rankings but I will continue to work hard,” Prabodh said.
Menezes, 21 and ranked 394 in the ATP Rankings, defeated Tunisia’s Echargui 6-4 7-6(2) to reach his third final in the three-leg International Tennis Federation (ITF) Pro-Circuit Futures.
The Brazilian had won the Tombim Open by defeating Maximilian Neuchrist in the final on April 21, before the Austrian returned the favour in the 2018 Dayak Open on April 28.
Echargui committed four double fouls and was getting agitated, although he prolonged the second set with his short runs and effective backhand.
He was able to force two tie-breaks before Menezes wrapped it up in one hour 47 minutes.
Menezes later said he had to rely on reading his opponents to reach the tournament’s final.
“I don’t think it’s a different game in terms of intensity from my quarter-final game, but my opponent in the quarter-finals is the opposite of my opponent in the semi-finals.
“Maximilian served a lot better and had a powerful forehand but he didn’t like to run. So, if I served him short balls he would have attacked me.
“But today Moez is the opposite. His serve was not too good and also didn’t have a good forehand, but he had a very strong backhand.
“I knew if I played towards his forehand his return would be poor. I am confident that if I stick to my style, I can emerge winner in the final,” he said.
“I haven’t played Arjun before. So, I guess it’s going to be an exciting match,” Menezes added.
NAN reports that an incident during the second set of the match between Menezes and Echargui required Patrick Kamuhia, the tournament’s ITF Supervisor, to intervene.
Echargui had contested a ‘broken ball’ situation, claiming that it was a ‘soft ball’ and rejecting the umpire’s decision before Kamuhia was brought in to resolve the issue.
A broken ball decision was reached and the set was replayed.
The GSL Tennis Open final match between Kadhe and Menezes will be played on Saturday at 3 p.m.(NAN)
KIA/PI/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)