Final week

The final week of the group stages is on us and so far, after a sensational start to the groups, things have petered out. Disappointingly, there have been no games for 2 weeks now and the prospects of players completing all their 3 games looks bleak.Lets analyze the situation:

Group A

So far, I-Mam is the only one who has a single victory in this section. Defending champ Ganesh has been the biggest disappointment, having failed to play a single game so far. He now has 6 days to finish all 3 games, a tall order. He is likely to play Arthur on tuesday and a win for Ganesh will set him up for a semifinal appearance. If Arthur beats him, it might be curtains for Ganesh. One complicating factor will be I-Mam not playing any games since his win over Arthur. So technically, if Ganesh loses to Arthur but is willing to play I-Mam who likely might fail to show up, Ganesh might qualify for semis by virtue of I-Mam scratching from the tournament itself. Every player has to play at least 2 games in group stages to not be a scratch. I-Mam is odds on to be a scratch because of his unwillingness to play. Very disappointing considering his overall good display in the tournament.That leaves Daitan who increasingly appears to be out of contention not having played a single game and looking unlikely to step onto a field. So its likely Ganesh and Arthur will go through to the semifinals as I-Mam and Daitan are on the verge of scratching.

Group B
The situation in group B is a little better. Mudassir has 1 win under his belt but will likely play Alfred on thursday to at least complete 2 games. So will Alfred ,who having lost his opening game to Dr. Barreau, looked likely on the edge of crashing out early but now has a lifeline because Dr. Barreau himself is close to scratching as he has also has failed to play a single game since his win over Alfred and seems increasingly unlikely to play any further part in the tournament. Nauman is going to face Alfred on wednesday and if he beats Alfred, has a chance of claiming a place in semis. looks unlikely though. So Mudassir and Alfred look likely to qualify at this stage.

So what had started as a very promising tournament has gradually become an after thought. Realistically only 5 players are in it at this point. But the tournament goes on into its final week...deadline day is 11th May.