Kamesh Srinivasan
NEW DELHI
The Indian crew had 5 match factors within the doubles to win the quarterfinals in opposition to Korea, the eventual champion, and ebook one of many 4 berths for the World Group under-14 tennis competitors.
As future would have it, the Koreans survived the match factors to ultimately emerge because the No.1 crew.
Coach Ankit Patel, the captain of the under-14 boys’ crew within the Asia-Oceania World Junior Tennis competitors within the capital, was certainly disheartened in regards to the host ending fifth, however expressed confidence that the boys can achieve from the expertise and get higher.
Bitter capsule
“The loss in opposition to Korea was most disheartening and really onerous to digest. It’s uncommon for a crew to lose from 9-5 within the tremendous tie-break in doubles. Each Arnav (Paparkar) and Tanussh (Ghildyal) had served aces and unreturned serves in successful six of the primary 14 factors. We made the error of fixing the successful technique at that stage,” recalled the captain.
“Our plan was to come back in for volley, rebound the tempo that they had been hitting and provides them much less time to make massive again swing. After 9-5, we modified the sport plan and tried to hit onerous from bottom line,” Ankit mentioned, in regards to the Indian pair veering off its successful path.
The coach felt that the Indian crew was simply among the many three greatest out of 16 assembled international locations, together with Japan and Korea.
“Arnav performed 5 singles and received all 5. Our boys actually deserved to be within the ultimate. Each Arnav and Tanussh had been solely 70% match and had been having medicines earlier than their matches, throughout the match. Arnav didn’t play singles in opposition to Japan due to an upset abdomen, and Tanussh was having cramps after beating the Japanese, thus not with the ability to play the doubles. As a result of we misplaced to Japan within the league, we needed to play Korea or Kazakhstan within the quarterfinals. As future would have, we met Korea,” mentioned Ankit.
Studying from errors
The coach felt that with improved health, correct diet and sleep, the Indian gamers may match the perfect within the recreation.
“Total, it was good, however may have been higher. If we need to succeed, we shouldn’t be frightened about failures. After all, we should always be taught from our errors, and pursue the best path,” he mentioned.