One of the most satisfying aspects of Somdev and Sanam's gold is the fact that India were able to lift themselves in the absence of big names like Lee and Hesh
One of the most satisfying aspects of Somdev and Sanam's gold is the fact that India were able to lift themselves in the absence of big names like Lee and Hesh |
| India's Somdev Devvarman (right) and Sanam Singh celebrate after clinching a gold medal in the doubles yesterday. Pic/AFP |
A broad smile greeted this correspondent as he approached chief coach of the Indian tennis team for the Asian Games here, Nandan Bal yesterday. Somdev Devvarman had first made it to the men's singles final and minutes later clinched the men's doubles gold with Sanam Singh. Bal was ecstatic. "You guys (media) gave us no chance coming into this competition without Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. But look, we are going back with as many as five medals. And mind you, the competition here has been much tougher than last month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. So, this is a fantastic achievement," Bal, a former Davis Cupper told MiD DAY at the Aoti Sports Complex here.
First, Somdev came back strongly to beat Japan's Tatsumo Ito 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 in the men's singles semi-finals.
He then teamed up with Sanam to beat the Chinese pair of Mao Xin Gong and Zhe Li 6-3, 6-7, 10-8 in super tie-breaker in the men's doubles final in front of a vociferous Chinese crowd rooting for their local lads.
The Indian tennis team have already won four medals ufffd bronze in the men's team event, bronze in the women's singles, silver in the mixed doubles event, gold in the men's doubles and a possible gold or silver in the men's singles where Somdev plays Uzbekistan's top man Denis Istomin.
"Istomin is a very good player and I will try my best," said Somdev of his chances at clinching gold.u00a0u00a0
Ask Bal however, and he has no doubt that Somdev's going for the top honours today. "Som has had a great tournament. Even today in the singles he did well to come back in the third set and take the game. Then, in the final (men's doubles) he and Sanam showed great maturity in handling the pressure. I can tell you, Som is feeling very good at the moment. There is no doubt that he is going for the gold medal," said Bal.
Somdev meanwhile hailed his team members. "This team is the future of Indian tennis. When we came here people said we are missing Lee and Hesh but they were there in the last Asiad (in Doha in 2006) and we still failed to win a medal in the team event. However, this year, we won bronze. Yes, maybe if Lee-Hesh were there in the team semi-final (against the Chinese Taipei, where India lost the doubles ties) things could have been better but, this team is doing fine too," said Somdev.
