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Kirtane falls to younger opponent
NEW DELHI: At 42 he shows no signs of slowing down. Consistently winning on the domestic circuit and giving the young ones a good run for their money, on Monday
NEW DELHI: At 42 he shows no signs of slowing down. Consistently winning on the domestic circuit and giving the young ones a good run for their money, on Monday at the DLTA Complex he was locked in close battle with a youngster half his age for close to three hours. Unfortunately, crucial unforced errors cost Nitin Kirtane dear as Haadin Bava prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in the first round of the Fenesta Open National Championship.
Bava has beaten the former Davis Cup player before but playing Kirtane is never easy. The fourth seed slices with precision from any corner of the court and being left handed gives the former national champion an added advantage. But Bava held on, running all over the court to return everything thrown his way. “It was my level of fitness that helped me win today,” the 21-year-old believed. “Sir (Kirtane) is a former Davis Cup player and is playing at a high level, giving us very good competition.” After all, Kirtane has won two double crowns this year and ended runner-up at an Asian Tennis Tour tournament just last week.
This is Bava’s third tournament after a long break, close to three months. It’s unheard of for someone so young to take that long a break but Bava had had enough of tennis for some time. “I just wanted to be with my family for a while. So I took time off during Ramzan,” he says.
“The two Futures I played before this tournament haven’t been up to mark (first round loss in Coimbatore and second round defeat in Chennai). I’ve been working on my fitness which has helped but I need to up my game after the break.”
He’s teamed up with coach Birbal Wadhera recently, who travels with him on the circuit. Wadhera was very vocal in support from the stands, egging his ward on when the humid weather was draining both on court.
Indians go to Spain often to train and Bava’s no different. He used to train in Alicante to sharpen his game and has plans of going there later this year too but the aim is to set up base in India. “It can be anywhere in India but I want to be here. I don’t like staying away from family for lengthy periods,” smiled the ‘family man’.
