If Super Saturday was beyond compare, the Sunday finale bordered on mediocrity. Having risen from the dead like the proverbial Phoenix in his semifinal clash against Carlos Moya the previous evening, much was expected of world No 2 and the top-seeded Rafael Nadal in the title clash against Mikhail Youzhny.
The Nungambbakam Tennis stadium was packed even before the players got on court, probably in anticipation of another rousing show from the showman from Spain. Unfortunately, the near four-hour stunning effort just 18 hours earlier seemed to have taken a heavy toll on Nadal.
Looking listless, very unlike him, Nadal cut a sorry figure on court. A slew of errors flowed from his racquet and he often stood rooted to the baseline, hardly making an effort to go for balls he would have otherwise gone instinctively. The Russian was not complaining. The crowd just looked on in stunned disbelief at the sorry spectacle unfolding on centre court.
Youzhny, credited with a win over Nadal the previous season, didn't step on the accelerator. Playing only at half throttle, the Russian was still too good for the crowd favourite, handing him a 6-0, 6-1 pasting in one of the shortest finals in Chennai Open history on Sunday.
"I can't say anything about the final," Youzhny said after the 54-minute apology of a final. "Today, Rafa was not Rafa. I did not play against Rafa."
"This victory was a present from Rafa," he added after pocketing his fourth career ATP Tour title and a cheque for $68,500.
But the present didn't look like coming that easily when Nadal came up with a fine forehand down the line winner in the opening game of the finale.
"Of course I didn't think it would be this easy," Youzhny admitted.
No signs of fatigue
The Spaniard didn't show any signs of fatigue in the opening game. But it became apparent with every passing game. Capable of chasing down balls that go even out of the stadium, Nadal was looking increasingly leaden-footed with every point. He simply let the winners fly past him.
After a series of errors in the second game, the fourth-seeded Russian went up a break. Though only half as formidable as he was in his victory over Nadal in Dubai at the start of the season last year, Youzhny was still on top of the Spaniard.
With further breaks in the fourth and sixth games, Youzhny took the opening set in a mere 23 minutes. Most in the stadium expected another fightback from Nadal in the second set, but it was not forthcoming. He did hold serve in the second game, but that was what he was allowed on the day.
For the record, Nadal won a mere 17 points in the entire game, seven in the first set and 10 in the second.
"After the first set, I thought he can make a comeback," the Russian said. "But I knew if I played without making any mistakes I could win."
Youzhny did just that, serving brilliantly well and keeping the errors to the minimum. Nadal did the rest for him. The top seed did call for a trainer after the fifth game, but that only delayed the inevitable.
Ratiwatanas win
Later in the evening, Ratiwatana twins, Sanchai and Sonchat, pocketed the doubles title with a straight sets win over Marcos Baghdatis and Marc Gicquel combine in the final. The 6-4, 7-5 victory gave the Thais their second career doubles title. Last season, they won their maiden title back home in Bangkok.
The twins took home a cheque for $20,500 for their 60-minute workout.
Results (Finals):
Singles: Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) bt Rafael Nadal (Esp) 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles: Sanchai Ratiwatana/ Sonchat Ratiwatana (Thai) bt Marcos Baghdatis (Cyp)/ Marc Gicquel (Fra) 6-4, 7-5.