Phau me, admits Rastogi

Mumbai, Sep 25 (UNI) India number three and wild card Karan Rastogi today admitted his opponent Bjorn Phau had outplayed him during their first round match in the Kingfisher Airlines Open Tennis tournament at the Cricket Club of India courts here.

Speaking to the media after his resounding 6-0, 6-3 defeat at the hands of the 66 ranked German, Rastogi however felt he had a decent second set. I need to play more matches at this level and will get better with experience, Rastogi added.

The Indian, however, said he enjoyed the outing and had a good time on the court.

''I needed to play my best today to match him, but unluckily did not play upto the level I know I can play,'' Rastogi said, adding that the German had caught him off guard and ''in the first set, with him serving two to three aces per game, I just did not stand a chance''.

Rastogi admitted he was a bit rattled by the first set, but came back well to win the first game of the second. However, thereafter, whenever I thought I was in with a chance on a point, a few volleying errors crept in to hand back the advantage to the German.

Speaking about his overall game, Rastogi said he has improved and his volleying is also getting better. ''I would not say that I have become adept at volleying, but I am definitely getting there.'' UNI GS MAZ DH RS2120