Kei defends opponent's antics after win

Colombia's Alejandro Falla reminded one of Robert De Niro'sportrayal of Jake La Motta in the classic movie Raging Bull. He rantedand raved as Falla hit the ball of the stadium before smashing his racket to bits on the way to a 6-4 3-6 2-6 defeat to Kei Nishikori inthe pre-quarterfinals of the Aircel Chennai Tennis Open.

All the drama took place in the opening game of the third set when chair umpire El Jennati of Morocco incorrectly called the score 15-all instead of 30-0 to Falla. The Colombian realized the umpire's mistake when he called deuce instead of game to Falla. He then stormed to theumpire's chair and launched a long protest and after that all hell broke loose as she smashed the ball out of court and then bashed his racket as the umpire awarded a point penalty and the Japanese began his service game at 15-0.

Nishikori for his part was sympathetic to his opponent. "The umpire did make a mistake it should have been 30-0 but when I asked him the score he said 15-all and then 30-15. Falla realised the mistake at deuce and protested that he had already won the game. In his place, I would have also gone crazy. But I don't think I would have let the situation go totally out of hand,'' said the Japanese No.1. The Colombian was unavailable for comment and he did not attend the post-match press conference.

For a set and a half, the Colombian was well in control. Falla who is best known for bringing Roger Federer to his knees leading by two sets to love, before losing in an epic five-setter in the first round of Wimbledon last year, led by two breaks at 3-0 in the second but then the wheels began falling off. Nishikori began forcing the pace belting forehand winners and Falla began making unforced errors. He didn't win a service game after that till midway through the third set.

After the histrionics of the opening game, he virtually handed the Japanese a couple of points purposely hitting the ball wide. "I probably would have done the same thing and hit a few balls out if I was in his shoes,'' exclaimed Nishikori.

However the Japanese too dropped serve making three double faults, but thereafter he made few errors tou00a0 score an emphatic victory.

"I play Tipsarevic next. I have never played him before. He is definitely on a high after playing a role in Serbia's sensational Davis Cup victory,'' emphasised Nishikori.