Week 10 - ITF ($15K) - Bhopal, India - Hard

Michael D · All-time great

Week 10 - ITF ($15K) - Bhopal, India - Hard

blob · All-time great

Bhopal... now there's a name I haven't heard in a very long time.
A reminder that though they might be frozen in that moment in my feeble mind, the years continue to pass inexorably by, normality slowly returns, and life goes on, even as the world turns. (blah)

New stories to tell this week and help write yet more, happier, pages and move the story on still much farther from that one terrible chapter which defines them - I doubt I would have heard of the town otherwise.

Michael D · All-time great

blob wrote:
Bhopal... now there's a name I haven't heard in a very long time.
A reminder that though they might be frozen in that moment in my feeble mind, the years continue to pass inexorably by, normality slowly returns, and life goes on, even as the world turns. (blah)

New stories to tell this week and help write yet more, happier, pages and move the story on still much farther from that one terrible chapter which defines them - I doubt I would have heard of the town otherwise.

I visited it once some time in the early 2000s, ie about 20 yrs after the Union Carbide gas leak that will continue to define the city for the foreseeable future. It's the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, quite hilly and built around two lakes - ironically its known also as one of India's greenest cities, even if most Indian cities by definition get choked with traffic. Whilst the social, health and environmental consequences of the gas leak have never fully been dealt with - and 3 December remains an emotional day for the city, it is otherwise one of the Indian cities that is obviously on the up with a burgeoning middle class. As is common in India the contradictions sit side by side.

Michael D · All-time great

With regard to the more mundane world of tennis, both Freya and Emily are also entered into the double this week.

Emily is playing with Pranjala YADLAPALLI, the promising 18yr old Indian junior (JCH:15), whom Emily beat in singles in Sharm last month, and they are 2nd seeds.
Freya is playing with the Uzbeck who is Emily's first round singles opponent and are 3rd seeds.

And tomorrow on the OOP is Freya's day, she has both singles and doubles up, whilst Emily waits till Tuesday before her tournament entrance.

Mervatron2 · Challenger qualifying

Hoping Freya can really get her mojo back here.

Seeing all her peers have such a good start to 2018 should be inspiration enough.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Emily a tad unfortunate to draw the #9 player

blob · All-time great

Freya gets off to a comfortable start, 6-2 6-4

EWS plays tomorrow; Freya plays again in doubles, later.

blob · All-time great

Freya is playing this week with Emily's R32 singles opponent, and secured an easy win
R16: Christie/Khabibulina (GBR/UZB) [3] 809 defeated (WC) Dargude/Shivekar (IND/IND) UNR 6-1 6-1

wimdledont · Challenger level

EWS 3-6, 0-2

Michael D · All-time great

Emily headed for the steppes at the moment 3-6 *0-2

Maybe I'll guess the next few games too to make the posts non-identical. But Emily does get one hold now 3-6 1-2*

-- Edited by Michael D on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 09:28:05 AM

PaulM · Tennis legend

Emily only arrived last night. Tad unfortunate with the draw.

2017 started well but went downhill rapidly, perhaps 2018 will work in the reverse. Realistically though, its next weeks doubles that is probably most signifcant in terms of setting up her season.

the addict · Tennis legend

Yes, three flights from Sharm to get to Bhopal. Looks as if she is getting going now though 3-6 4-3*

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Emily fights back to take the second set and leads *2-0 in the third

PaulM · Tennis legend

But now in trouble. Starting to really get away, 4 games lost in a row

*2-4

indiana · Tennis legend

Emily breaks back and has held in a 16 point game in which she saved 2 BPs.

5-4*

C'mon !