Back in style.....Ganesh triumphs over Arthur

Thiyagarajan Ganesh Vs. Arthur Aung

Under blue skies and the pennants flying high, defending champion Thiyagarajan " Ganeshito" Ganesh took on Arthur " The Hun" Aung in a game that promised to be anything but friendly. Last year, Arthur had succumbed 6-0 6-0 to Ganesh in the Group stages but now he is looking for a much better performance. Ganesh, on his part, is making his tournament debut this year and admitted himself that he was very rusty from the long layoff.

Before the game, all the buzz was about Arthurs comments to the media. In a pre-match interview, Arthur admitted that this game represented a do or die situation for him since he has to beat Ganesh to stay alive in the tournament. He also reiterated his belief that Ganesh was a waning force and Arthur had the full capability to upset the cart. Ganesh just replied that he wanted to just beat Arthur and open his account in the tournament.

Ganesh opened up the proceedings by serving and it was apparent that he was extremely ring rusty as he uncharacteristically got broke on double faults to hand the opening game to Arthur. That should have made Arthurs confidence soar but instead Ganesh got his act straight and took the next 3 games without dropping a single point.Arthur rallied back to win the next game, 3-2. Ganesh was starting to sweat. The feeling didnt last long as Ganesh smashed Arthur to round off the set 6-2.

The second set was a totally different game though. Ganesh broke Arthur early on lead 2-0 and it looked as if Arthur was going to throw in the towel.Somehow Arthur came from 40-0 love down in the 3rd game to win on deuce and make it 3-1. But Ganesh held on for an easy 4-1 lead. It was game,set and match to Ganesh as the Burmese flags were flying at half mast but wait......is it a bird, is it a plane, no its..its.... Artie.....

Arthur once again held his serve to make it 4-2 but found himself on the brink when Ganesh blasted ace upon ace to stand at 5-2. When Arthur served erratically, Ganesh found the opening to make it 40-0 and 3 match points. Arthur though suddenly woke up. Kinda like waking up a dormant monster that has lain low for centuries at the bottomless pit of the deepest trench of the pacific ocean and which can destroy all the japanese and allied ships and.....ok, he is a Godzilla.And whoa, did he breathe fire. Arthur came back and held on for his 3rd serve game to make it 5-3 and then.......he broke Ganesh and moved to within 5-4. By now, Ganesh was actively drying his headband from all the cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. The comeback definitely sent a chill down upon everyones back. Alfred was seen in the stands taking his shirt off and plunging into the nearest fountain to cool himself off. Arthur though was completely oblivious by this time to everything. His eyes were focused on his prey, Ganesh that is. And when he smashed his way to another brilliant game, suddenly we were staring at a monumental upset in the making. Even the president of the Blue Ash tennis association was seen gaping in shock.

5-5! How could Ganesh lose his composure like that. Well, he eventually calmed himself down and held his serve to make it 6-5 and then blasted Arthur to finally break him and close the game at 7-5. Final score: 6-2 7-5 to Ganesh, though a standing ovation for Arthur for his brave resistance.

Ganesh now holds second spot in the Group behind I-Mam on games won but as I-Mam is likely to be scratched from the tournament for slack attitude, Ganesh is on course for winning the group. Arthur on the other hand, may still make the semis if I-Mam doesnt make it and as expected, Daitan fails to show up for any game.