‘Can’t wait to return to Roland Garros’ Siwach leads way as all Indians advance
Rafa Nadal defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 for a record 34th Masters
ROME: Defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal can’t wait to hit the clay courts of Roland Garros after claiming his first title this season and ninth Italian Open trophy.
Nadal defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 for a record 34th Masters,
leaving his vanquished foe to
label the Spaniard as “the No. 1 favourite for Roland Garros”.
“I am going to be there with time enough, as always,” said 32-year-old Nadal, who wants to capture a 12th trophy in Paris.
“I’m going to repeat my normal routines. For sure I can’t wait to be there and have the feeling, see the stadium, watch all the new great things that Roland Garros is doing,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said of the rebuilt Philippe Chatrier Centre Court.
“I saw a picture. Looks great. Still open, still not closed. Is a different stadium, but the feeling probably will not be very different.
“This year, I don’t see a big difference. The wind is going to be the same as always. Court is still big.”
His first title this season, and particularly on his favourite clay surface, is a huge boost for the Spaniard.
“Happy to reach that level in the last tournament before a Grand Slam,” said Nadal.
“But, as I said, for me I don’t want to talk about Grand Slams now. I never did in the past. Important title, now’s the moment to keep going.”
Djokovic — winner at the Madrid Open last week — gave an error-strewn display in his 54th meeting with secondranked Nadal, having spent six hours on court in his previous two matches.
“For me, the most important thing is to feel myself playing well and feel myself healthy, with the energy that I need,” said Nadal.
“If that happens, experience is that I am going to fight for titles sooner or later.”
The 32-year-old had not dropped a set all week before the final taking a 6-0 set from four his five rivals.
“During the last couple of weeks, every day and every week have been better. And here we are finally with this great trophy, an important victory.”
Nadal pulled out of Indian Wells with a knee injury, and had not gotten past the semifinals in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.
“After Indian Wells, there have been some tough moments for me in terms of recovering again,” he said.
“I didn’t arrive very well prepared to Monte-carlo. There have been some low moments for me.
“The first round in Barcelona, that was a disaster.”
Nadal had been stunned by Stefanos Tsitsipas, a player 12 years his junior, in the semifinals in Madrid. GUWAHATI: Former world youth champion Sachin Siwach outclassed his Argentine rival Ramon Nicanor Quiroga as all seven Indians in fray had a smooth sailing on the opening day of the Indian Open boxing tournament here on Monday.
Fresh from a bronze at the Geebee Boxing tournament, Siwach used his height to full advantage, dominating the bout right from the first round en route a 5-0 win by a unanimous decision in the 52kg men’s category at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium.
Siwach will next face former world championship bronze medalist Rogen Ladon in the quarterfinal and aiming to avenge his semifinal defeat by a split-decision in the President’s Cup.
“It was a narrow defeat last time. But now I’ve now improved my speed and skill and I will look forward to settle scores this time,” Siwach said.
Siwach features in the bottom half of the draw that has Commonwealth Games gold medalist Gaurav Solanki, while the top-half in the 52kg draw features Asian Games gold medalist Amit Panghal.
“When it comes to Indians we all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s a tough road ahead as flyweight is highly competitive. But as of now my focus is on the next round against the Filipino boxer,” the 20-year-old talented boxer from Haryana said. Siwach was the only Indian in the fray in the men’s section, while the women’s category saw all of them making the next round.
Former world championship silver medalist Sonia Lather began her campaign with a 5-0 win over Chandra Kala Thapa to reach the quarter-finals in the 57kg.
In the women’s 60kg, Preeti Beniwal put up a robust display to outclass her Nepalese opponent Sangita Sunar in a unanimous 5-0 victory to make the quarters.
Making her competitive debut in the 60kg, Shahshi Chopra too had an easy outing defeating Bhutan’s Tandin Choden 5-0 by unanimous decision.
Manisha Maun defeated Nesthy Petecio of Phillipines 4-1 in the 57kg category. Jyoti Gulia and Anamakia also made the quarterfinals with easy wins over their respective opponents.