Somdev stuns big serving Milos Raonic

Milos Raonic has been the the breakout star of men's tennis this year, rising from no. 157 in January to the world's top 35 in less than 3 months. But on Friday, Raonic's big serve failed to bail him out against India's Somdev Devvarman in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

India's Devvarman won 7-6(5), 7-5 in exactly 2 hours to advance to a potential third round encounter against world no. 6 David Ferrer, of Spain. Raonic hit 12 aces but accompanied it with 7 double faults compared to 6 aces and 2 double faults for the 73rd ranked Indian.

Devvarman started off breaking the Canadian twice in the first set and serving for the set at 5-2. But Raonic saved 4 setpoints and broke back two times to level the set at 5-5 before falling short in the tie-break. In the second, Raonic broke the Indian to lead 4-2 but this time, it was Devvarman who broke back for 4-4 and then broke again with Raonic serving to stay in the match at 5-6.

The Indian was better than Raonic in each department of the game; higher first serve percentage, higher first serve points won, higher second serve points won, higher return points won - but the most crucial stat of the day was Devvarman's breakpoint conversion rate. The Indian converted on 4 of 5 break opportunities while Raonic could convert only on 3 of 8.

The win will send Devvarman into the world's top 70 in the new rankings, his third new career high ranking in the last 2 months.

Somdev, Sania win in Miami

India's top ranked players Somdev Devvarman and Sania Mirza both won their first round matches on Wednesday at the prestigious Sony Ericsson Open in Miami - one of the biggest tennis events outside of the 4 Grand Slams.

Devvarman continued his run of good form with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Italy's Potito Starace, who is ranked no. 47 in the world. The win sets up an intriguing second round clash against Candaian youngster Milos Raonic, who has been the tour's breakout star this year.

Meanwhile, Sania defeated Spain's Arantxa Parra, ranked 62 in the world, 6-2, 6-4 to set up a second round clash against Russian Maria Kirilenko, the no. 24 seed. The result will earn Sania 80 WTA ranking points and will see her move into the upper 90's in the rankings from her current position of no. 99

Yuki Bhambri wins ITF Futures title in Mumbai

I got a chance to see Yuki Bhambri in live action for the first time yesterday as the 18 year old Indian was in the finals of the $15K ITF Futures event in Mumbai. Bhambri is trying to work his ranking back up after injuries and ill-health ravaged his 2010 season – causing his ranking drop from no. 321 in April 2010 to no. 556 at the end of last year

His opponent in the final was the tall Crotian Roko Karanusic, once ranked as high as no. 88 in 2009 but who has since fallen to no. 483. Karanusic started off well as Bhambri made several errros early on. The Croat's heavy forehand and low backhand slice posed several problems for the Indian, who lost the first set 2-6.

The Croat continued to dominate in the second set but this time Bhambri managed to stay close throughout. Karanusic broke serve 3 times but each time was broken back, including when he served for the match at 5-4 in the second set. The Croat held two matchpoints at 40-15 but Bhambri played agressively when it mattered. He saved the first with a crisp forehand volley. On the second, he appraoched the net and hit a drop volley, which clipped the net and took a few seconds before deciding to fall on the Croat's side of the court. Bhambri broke back and the Croat, who had been muttering to himself in his native language throughout the match, got more agitated. The result from then on never seemed in doubt as the Croat's body language and temperament went downhill from there. Bhambri won the second set 7-5 and also the third set 6-3 to complete the win in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The title was Bhambri's sixth on the ITF Futures circuit – all of which have come in India – but his first since September 2009. The result will move him to around 430 in the rankings – his highest in 8 months.

Inspite of his six foot frame, Bhambri does not look imposing and will definitely need to get stronger if he is going to be competing with the big boys on the ATP tour. But the good news is that the foundations of his game are well set. The 18 year old can hit a big first serve; can rally off his forehand and backhand side and also hit winners from the backcourt when given the opportunity. His movement on court is pretty efficient and he attacked the net to put away volleys at several times in the match. All this augurs well for Indian tennis fans. At 18, Bhambri has a few critical years to make the transition into the pro tour. He will now move on to Kolkatta for the next ITF Futures and he hopes to continue his winning streak there.

Somdev sets up clash against Nadal

India's Somdev Devvarman won the last four points of his third-round match to prevail against Belgian Xavier Malisse 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5) in two hours and advance to a fourth round ecnounter against world no. 1 Rafael Nadal at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.

The 26-year-old Devvarman is making his third main draw appearance at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, and defeated Adrian Mannarino and No. 19 seed Marcos Baghdatis in the first two rounds.

Devvarman is a two-time NCAA singles champion with the University of Virginia. He defeated John Isner in the 2007 final, and won the title again the following year. He reached his first tour-level final last month at the SA Tennis Open in Johannesburg (l. to Anderson).

Nadal swept past Ryan Sweeting with the loss of four games, defeating the American qualifier 6-3, 6-1 in 68 minutes. The Spaniard, who broke Sweeting four times from seven chances in Monday’s match, had also beaten the 23 year old in January at the Australian Open.

“I didn't play really impressive, but I played solid,” said Nadal, who has conceded just 11 points on serve through his first two matches. “I didn't have big mistakes. I think today the more positive thing is I finished much better than the beginning of the match. In general, I’m happy with the serve, happy with the backhand. Forehand is always my best shot, and I need to be aggressive to have good chances to be in the right position to have a good tournament.”

This week's performance will now see Devvarman climb to a new career-best ranking of around 72 in the world. His previous best ranking was no. 79 achieved last month following his result in Johannesburg

Source: ATP World Tour

Somdev upsets Baghdatis; to move to new career-best ranking

India's Somdev Devvarman continued his recent good form with a 7-5, 6-0 upset win over 19th seed Marcos Baghdatis, of Cyprus, in the second round of the BNP Praibas Open Masters Series. Devvarman won 85% of points on his first serve and hit 14 winners against the former Australian Open finalist to move into the third round of an ATP Masters Series event for the first time in his career.

The Indian will now play the winner of the match between 15th seed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Xaiver Malisse, of Belgium, which was scheduled for later today. The win is Somdev's second best career win, after his victory over then world no. 15 Marin Cilic, of Croatia, in Washington in 2009.

The result will also earn Devvarman enough ATP points to achieve a new career high ranking when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday 21st March. Currently ranked no. 84, Devvarman will likely move to around no. 77 in the rankings, besting his current career-high ranking of no. 79 which he achieved a few weeks ago


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Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna are beaten in Indian Wells

India's Sania Mirza was beaten in straight sets by 25th seed Domonika Cibulkova in 80 minutes in the second round of the prestigious BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Cibulkova, a former French Open semi-finalist, won 6-3, 6-3 to set up a third round clash against #3 seed Vera Zvonareva

Meanwhile, Rohan Bopanna went down fighting to Aussie wild card Bernard Tomic 7-6, 6-7, 4-6 in an hour and 48 minutes in first round action. Playing in his first Masters Series, Bopanna served 23 aces in the encounter and lost his serve only once in the third set, saving six other breakpoints while he missed converting the two break opportunities he had in the second set. Tomic is 18 years old and ranked #187 in the world and is among a handful of teenagers widely tipped to be stars in the years to come. Tomic now advances to a second round showdown with world no 18 Victor Troicki. Bopanna's efforts this week in singles will see his ranking move up more than 100 places from his current ranking of #629 but ,at 31, he is still likely to focus on doubles where he is ranked #13. India's top men's player Somdev Devvarman plays his second round match against 19th seed Marcos Bagdhatis on Saturday

Indians shine at Indian Wells

India's leading players scored a rare treble success on Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California - one of tennis' most prestigious events outside of the Grand Slams.

India's top-ranked woman, Sania Mirza, was on court for only 14 minutes when her opponent, Italy's Romina Oprandi, ranked 83 on the WTA list, had to retire with an injury. Mirza will most likely return to the top 100 when the next rankings are released following her win and she will meet 25th seed Domnika Cibulkova in the second round on Friday.

India's top men's player, Somdev Devvarman, currently ranked #84, beat Australian Greg Jones 6-2, 6-4 to qualify for the main draw. Devvarman, who upset Janko Tipsarevic in the Davis Cup on Friday, now takes on 22 year old Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, ranked #59 on the ATP list on Thursday. The two have played once before in the qualifying draw at the French Open in 2010 with Devvarman winning that one 6-4, 6-1. The winner of that match will take on 19th seed Marco Baghdatis in the second round.

The biggest surprise for the Indians came when 31 year old Rohan Bopanna, a doubles specialist who rarely plays singles and is ranked 629 in singles, upset world no. 80 Daniel Brands 7-6, 7-6 to qualify for his first ever Masters series in singles. This is the first time ever that 2 Indians are competing in the main draw of an ATP Masters series event. Bopanna will fancy his chances in the first round as he takes on wild card Aussie tennager Bernard Tomic, especially if his serve is on song. A win there will se up a rematch of Friday's Davis Cup encounter against Victor Toicki, which Troicki won in 5 tough sets.

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THE LOVE CHRONICLES

PART I -

It was January 1999 when she first caught my attention. I was 19 and she was 15 – long ponytailed with a mole under her chin. There was something that attracted me to her. But that was that. I was already committed to another woman – my childhood sweetheart, who I had adored since I was 8 or 9 years old. I was going to be hers forever.

In June that year, the 15 year old captured my attention once again. A month later, my childhood sweetheart called time on our relationship. It was time to move on, she declared. I didn't want to understand. But deep down, I did. I wished her the best and struggled to cope with the gaping emptiness inside me.

I decided it was time for me to move on too – and find someone else. In the years that followed, there were lots of other women. A one-time rival of my childhood sweetheart, an American, a Belgian, a Frenchwoman, an Indian – even the 15 year old held my fancy for a while. But with each new woman came the realisation that maybe the void inside me would never be filled.

The 15 year old went on to achieve great success on her professional front, even as she struggled with her tyrannical father – the sorts who would make a very evil villian in a fairytale or a Bollywood movie. A few years later, she dropped out of my radar and the world's, struggling with personal & health issues. Every now and then, I'd hear an update about her – one that she cut off ties from her father – another that she was attempting to get back to her profession.

In January 2009, 10 years after I first noticed the then 15 year old, she was back in my life – in the midst of a professional upsurge. She poured her heart out. She spoke openly about the problems she had with her father, her physical ailments & the depression that followed. Some days, she said, she didn't feel like getting out of bed at all. I couldn't help but feel for her. I encouraged her – cheered every new success – thought maybe she was the one after all who could fill the emptiness inside me. But things don't always work out the way you plan. I didn't see much of her in the months ahead. To be fair to her, she tried her best this time but maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

In the last few months, I've been seeing a lot more of her. At 28, she's more mature now and knows this could well be her last chance. At 31, I'm older and wiser too. My notions & ideals have changed. I'm not looking for anyone to replace my childhood sweetheart anymore – just for someone exciting enough to get me going for a few days/ weeks/ months. Until I come across that special someone again. I'm not sure if I will. But hope is what the world is built on they say and the now 28 year old has been giving me plenty to be hopeful about once again.

I still pine for my childhood sweetheart. It's hard not to. In the years since she left me, I'd read about her occasionally – at charity events, exhibitions, there was even the ceremony where she was honoured by her fellow professionals. Sometimes, I'd watch old vidoes and reminisce about the days gone by. I hope some day in the future our paths will cross again. But she has found her happiness away from me, with a wonderful man and two adorable children. I'm working hard on finding mine and so is my new sweetheart!!



PART II -
It was January 1999 when Jelena Dokic first caught my attention. I was 19 and she was 15 – long ponytailed with a mole under her chin and fierce groundstrokes. There was something that attracted me to this Yugolsav-born Australian resident. But that was that. I was already committed to another woman – Steffi Graf, who I had adored since I was 8 or 9 years old. I was going to be hers forever.

In June that year, Dokic captured my attention once again - stunning the world No. 1 Martina Hingis 6-2, 6-0 in the first round of Wimbledon. A month later, Graf called time on her career. It was time to move on, she declared. I didn't want to understand. But deep down, I did. I wished her the best and struggled to cope with the gaping emptiness inside me now that my favourite player had retired.

I decided it was time for me to move on too – and find someone else to root for. In the years that followed, there were lots of other women. Monica Seles, a one-time rival of Graf, was a big favourite since returning from her unfortunate stabbing; American Jennifer Capriati, whose journey from teenage superstardom to rehab and back to Grand Slam glory won her legions of fans including me; Belgium's Kim Clijsters, France's Mary Pierce, India's Sania Mirza; even Dokic held my fancy for a while. But with each new woman came the realisation that maybe the void inside me would never be filled.

Dokic went on to achieve great success on the professional circuit, climbing all the way to world no. 4 in 2002, even as she struggled with her tyrannical father – the sorts who would make a very evil villian in a fairytale or a Bollywood movie. A few years later, she dropped out of my radar and the world's, struggling with personal & health issues. Every now and then, I'd hear an update about her – one that she cut off ties from her father – another that she was attempting to get back to the professional tennis scene.

In January 2009, 10 years after I first noticed her, Dokic was back in my life – in the midst of a Cindrella run at the Australian Open, where she marched her way to the quarter-finals as the 187th ranked wild card entrant. She poured her heart out. She spoke openly about the problems she had with her father, her physical injuries & the depression that followed. Some days, she said, she didn't feel like getting out of bed at all. I couldn't help but feel for her. I encouraged her – cheered every new success – thought maybe she was the one after all who could fill the emptiness inside me. But things don't always work out the way you plan. I didn't see much of her in the months ahead as she was unable to build on the momentum of her run in Melbourne. To be fair to her, she tried her best this time but maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

In the last few months, I've been seeing a lot more of Dokic. At 28, she's more mature now and knows this could well be her last chance. At 31, I'm older and wiser too. My notions & ideals have changed. I'm not looking for anyone to replace Graf anymore – just for someone exciting enough to get me going for a few days/ weeks/ months. Until I come across that special someone again. I'm not sure if I will. But hope is what the world is built on they say and Dokic has been giving me plenty to be hopeful about once again. She won 3 back-to-back challengers on the ITF Tour last summer. She began 2011 with main draw victories at the WTA event in Brisbane and the Australian Open, then qualified for the WTA Paris Indoors and went all the way to the quarter-finals. This week in Kuala Lampur, Dokic scored her first top 5 win in 8 years with an opening round victory over reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone en route to winning her first WTA title in 9 years – moving back into the top 60 in the world.

I still pine for Graf. It's hard not to. In the years since she retired, I'd read about her occasionally – at charity events, exhibition matches, and there was even the Hall of Fame induction where she was honoured by her fellow professionals. Sometimes, I'd watch old vidoes and reminisce about the days gone by. I hope some day in the future our paths will cross again. But she has found her happiness away from me, with a wonderful man and two adorable children. I'm working hard on finding mine and so is my new favourite – Jelena Dokic!!

Read me at http://on.fb.me/eG4o3o; E-mail me at hareshramchandani@gmail.com; Follow me on Twitter @TennisChroniclr

Wild Cards announced for Indian Wells

India's Sania Mirza has received a wild card into the main draw for the upcoming BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, which hosts the combined ATP & WTA event next week. Mirza has moved from the 160's in January to no. 106 in the latest WTA rankings.

Also, former Wimbledon finalist Mark Phillippoussis has received a wild card into the qualifying tournament for the men's singles as he attempts another comeback from injuries.

Up-and-coming tennis players Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Ryan Harrison, Bernard Tomic, Coco Vandeweghe and Christina McHale were also granted wildcards into the main draws for the BNP Paribas Open, which begins next week at Indian Wells.

Veterans James Blake, Vania King, and Jill Craybas were also given wildcards into the main draws.

Raonic, ranked No. 37 on the ATP World Tour after finishing 2010 at No. 156, advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open this year. A few weeks ago, the 20-year-old Canadian captured his first ATP World Tour title in San Jose and reached the finals at Memphis in back-to-back weeks to become the highest-ranked Canadian singles player in the history of ATP rankings (since 1973).

Nishikori, of Japan, is No. 62 in the world while Harrison, 18, and originally from Louisiana, defeated Ivan Ljubicic in the first round at Indian Wells last year. Australia's Tomic reached the third round of the Australian Open this year before falling to World No. 1 Rafael Nadal.

On the women’s side, Vandeweghe, from San Diego, was part of the U.S. Fed Cup team that competed in the finals against Italy last November. McHale also helped the U.S. Fed Cup team to the finals last year by assisting in a win over France early in 2010.

Qualifying draw wildcards were given to four men’s players: 1999 BNP Paribas Open champion Mark Philippoussis, who is attempting a comeback; American Ryan Sweeting, who reached the third round of Wimbledon last year; Steve Johnson, who is the No. 1 singles and doubles player at USC; and Greg Ouellette, who is a former Southeastern Conference player of the year.

Former top 30 German star Sabine Lisicki and three young Americans -- Madison Keys, Madison Brengle and Maria Sanchez -- along with rising Puerto Rican junior Monica Puig were granted wildcards into the women’s qualifying draw.

Source: Los Angeles Times