http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2004/chennai_saturday.asp
CHENNAI-TATA OPEN
JANUARY 10, 2004
Chennai Saturday: Srichaphan Saves Six Match Points to Reach Final
Defending champion Paradorn Srichaphan saved six match points to defeat fourth
seed Tommy Robredo and advance to the final of the TATA Open in Chennai for the
third straight year. The Thai improved to 13-1 lifetime in Chennai. He reached
the final on debut in 2002 and he won the title last year.
Robredo won the first set in just 20 minutes, breaking Srichaphan旧 first two
service games to race to a 5-0 lead after just 15 minutes.
Srichaphan saved four match points in the second set tie-break and clinched the
set on his third set point at the end of a dramatic 22-point tie-break. In the
third set, Srichaphan saved another two match points at 15/40 4-5.
Top seed Carlos Moya had an easier time advancing to the final, defeating Sjeng
Schalken in straight sets. Moya is seeking his 15th career title and will be
playing in his 31st final.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Srichaphan: 戦 knew it would be a tough match. I practiced with him last
Saturday. He旧 improved a lot especially his serve and returning. First set
was really quick. I wasn急 into the match. But I kept fighting in the second
set."
声fter I saved some match points in the second set tie-break I thought it [the
match] would be mine, but you never know because he was serving so well. Then I
was down two match point at 4-5 in the third set. Luck was with me today.
戦 think I挙e saved match points before, but not six. I観 really happy to play
in the final here for a third time.?
荘here were a lot of fans today. It was good they were a strength for me. The
people wanted to see me fight. People were cheering loud, even during the
points. It was very exciting."
On his lucky red shirt, which he has not worn since the Long Island final last
year:
戦挙e put it in my bag and hopefully I歓l be wearing it tomorrow.?
Robredo: 戦 started well but Paradorn wasn急 playing so well. We played a great
match. I観 really happy with the match I played; I観 only disappointed I
wasnable to win one of those match points."
he difference was when he had the chance to win he took it. The important thing
is that it旧 the first week of the year and I観 playing great.?
Moya: "I have been playing well this week."
"I have been practicing very hard, and am very focused. Right now I am playing
well and am happy the way it is going."
"It is great to start the year with a final."
"I am serving well and that will be an important factor in my final
with Srichaphan tomorrow."
FINAL PREVIEW
A dream final is set at the TATA open with the two top seeds - Carlos Moya and
Paradorn Srichaphan - set to square off in Sunday's final. The last time the to
p two seeds played at an ATP event was in the Vienna final last October.
Srichaphan is seeking his second consecutive title in Chennai. Last year he
defeated Karol Kucera in the final. The previous year, he reached the final
but fell to Guillermo Canas. Srichaphan now has an outstanding 13-1 record in
Chennai. The Thai is seeking his fifth career title.
Moya is seeking his 15th career title. Last year, the Spaniard had a standout
year, winning three titles, reaching the final at two other events and
qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup Houston.
Srichaphan and Moya have met only once before, last year in Miami, where the
Spaniard won easily in straight sets.ldblquote It was completely different to
my first two matches. He was hitting very hard and the ball was jumping up
high. I was down 4-1 in the second set so I was very pleased to win in
straight sets.
In doubles, top seeds Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel will meet singles
standouts Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo of Spain. Erlich and Ram reached the
semifinals at Wimbledon last year as a doubles team, falling to Jonas Bjorkman
and Todd Woodbridge. They also won two ATP doubles titles in Bangkok and Lyon
last year. This is only the second time Robredo and Nadal have played doubles
together at an ATP event. Last year, they fell in the first round at Basel.
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