Saturday, September 7, 2013

Sania-Li...


A Nadal- Djokovic showdown is looming large on the US Open Men's Final.  However one never knows.  Wawrinka could still play the match of his life to alter the script.  Whatever may be the possible matchup Nadal seems the odd-on favourite to win the Open this year.   Time for a change of guard in men's tennis.    Despite the depth in Men's tennis the top 3 Nadal, Federer (though his time is clearly up now), Djokovic and Murray to some extent have dominated the scene for several years.  The men's players ranked lower seem to be lacking only in one attribute-fire in the belly. Some years back there were bemoans on the lack of depth in women's tennis. Clearly things have changed over the years.

While Li-Na may have lost badly to Serena Williams in the semis, there was absolutely no disgrace. Li-Na has been a pioneer in Chinese tennis or for that matter Asian tennis.  Comparison with Sania will most certainly arise and justifiably so.  Her rise has been meteoric while Sania's Single's performance has nose-dived.  Wonder if the reason is more of a attitudinal problem and probably also sums up the difference between China and India.   Remember Sania cribbing that clay was not her favourite surface at the start of every French Open in her Single's hey days before she eventually lost badly.   As though Chinese prefer clay courts!!!!!!.  Li-Na was ranked much below Sania some years back and she went on to capture the French Open some years back besides two other Grand Slam finals. She is in for greater glory. It is really astounding. The work she has put has certainly paid off and how!!!!  Sania is no longer in the Single's pecking order.  Not that she was ever much of a threat!    Some years back the very mention of a Chinese Single's Grand Slam champion would have elicited howls of laughter but that is a reality today.  For India it has become eternal quest akin to an endless dark tunnel. One is tempted to remember the famous novels 'Good Earth' and Mother India.  Mercifully the Chinese are not yet into cricket.....

No comments:

Post a Comment