Rastogi upsets higher-ranked Alves, to meet Nadal

Chennai, Jan 2 (UNI) World No 497 Karan Rastogi kept the meek Indian challenge alive, coming up with a magnificent show to upset Brazilian Thiago Alves 6-3, 6-4 and set up a second round clash with World No 2 Rafael Nadal in the ATP tour Chennai Open 2007 here today.

When Rastogi, the second wild card Indian in the main draw along with Prakash Amritraj, entered Court No 2, fresh from his Futurres title win in New Delhi before his first Chennai Open outing, he was the clear underdog. But he proved everybody wrong playing some aggressive tennis after a sluggish start.

As the Mumbai lad himself admitted after the match, it was 'unbelievable'.

Rastogi, who began on an ominous note for himself being broken in the very first game of the match, drew level, breaking back. He landed his shots in more than the Brazilian did except in the second set when he blew up a clear 4-2 lead, achieved by breaking Thiago in the first and fifth games. The first set went on serve from the third to eighth games. Rastogi closed out the set saving two break points in the ninth as Thiago hit a forehand passing shot out.

Rastogi, however, allowed Thiago to come back into the match in the second set. The Brazilian, who disputed some close line calls, drew level 4-4 breaking Rastogi in the sixth and eighth games. But the Indian broke the Brazilian in the ninth game and held serve in the tenth up 40-0. It was all over for the Brazlilian when he hit an intended backhand volley into the net.

''I am looking forward to the match against Nadal', he exulted, and added 'This is my biggest win. Imagine world No 497 defeating world No 106,'' Rastogi said later, Asked how it felt to be pitted against Nadal and if he had any hopes of a win, he shot back ''Come on. I am just going to go out there on the centre court and enjoy myself even if lose 6-0, 6-0.'' Rastogi's win was special from India's point of view as the other wild card Prakash bowed out fighting in the first round yesterday while the doubles pair was vanquished too.

UNI