[14] Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) bt Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS) 12-10, 12-10, 6-11, 11-4 (58m)
Tough, very very tough match between Ameeshenraj and Dewald, two players I was discovering today. Both patient, relentless, tight and sharp, the match looked like going to a decider at 4/4, but a bit of a lift of the ball from the South African, and it seemed to do the trick but still, strong and intense match. Great to watch.
Dewald
I knew it was going to be a tough match, because he is a very good player, fit and strong. He gets to the ball pretty fast…
The main thing for me today was to stay mentally strong, as I knew it was going to be physically tough, trying to stay mentally strong and execute my game plan as much as possible.
He is very good in front of the court if he’s got time on the ball, because he is so quick, so sometimes, when you take the ball in short, he gets it so fast he puts you under pressure, so I didn’t want to take the ball in too short too quickly, to take that opportunity away from him, and I had to lift the ball, and get it to the ball, as deep as possible. And attack him only when I’m in front of him and onto the volley.
We’ve never played with Patrick, so I’m just going to go and enjoy it, he is a very good player, very skilful, very excited to play him tomorrow.
