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The Harsh Mankad saga

Harsh Mankad is currently at the Weil Tennis Academy in Ojai, California, for a four week training program, costing over $2000 (not counting airfare and other incidentals).

Besides some sponsor support for his airfare, Mankad has had to do it all himself, digging into his savings to give himself the chance to improve his game. Which does raise the question of what exactly the All India Tennis Association is doing to foster talent...

The programme is just what Harsh needs -- giving him a chance to practise and play with some of the best upcoming players in the US.

Interestingly, a US-based fan club for Indian tennis, of which this correspondent is a member, has been actively encouraging the youngster. Recently, the club contacted him and told him of a Challenger in Tijuana, Mexico, where he could try qualifying, organised by Mexican Davis Cupper Alejandro Hernandez' father.

Since the event climbed on to the ATP calendars a bit late, not too many players were aware of it, and a phone call to the Mexican Tennis Federation on Thursday revealed that there were spots expected in the qualifier draw.

Coaches at the tennis academy thought an outing in Tijuana would be good for him, so Harsh acquired a visa and landed up in Tijuana and, surprise, surprise, found himself seeded 7th in the qualifiers (he is now ranked 1177 on the ATP ladder).

As it turned out, the youngster did very well, beating Adriano Pena of Mexico 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) to reach the final round of the qualifiers.

This is his first tournament in several months, Mankad having been at a loose end after the Indian futures ended in January. However, in the final round, he went up against the 2nd seed, a 32-year-old pro named Brad Pearce and once ranked 71 on the ATP rankings (Pearce is now making a comeback). Mankad lost, 6-2, 6-4.

On the whole, though his game showed areas that needed improvement -- especially a certain tentative streak to his forehand -- it was a creditable performance and has put him 1st in line for a lucky loser spot in the main draw, as two other lucky losers entered the draw yesterday after two players were dropped for entering two tournaments in the same week.

Mankad, ranked 1210 in doubles, hooked up with Mark Johnson (ranked 1331) when the two met in a hotel lobby, and ended up playing the doubles qualifiers as well. Here again, they are into the doubles main draw.

Mark Johnson is well acquainted with Indian tennis, having lost to Mahesh Bhupathi a couple of times in 1995-'96, when Bhupathi was at the University of Mississippi, and Bhupathi was at Alabama.

Johnson and Mankad will be playing the final round of qualifiers later on Wednesday.