Behroozian learns a great lesson

The UAE's Omar Behroozian emerged the wiser from his defeat in straight sets (6-1, 6-2) to 22nd ranked Andrei Pavel of Romania on Court One in the Dubai Tennis Men's Open yesterday.

Cynics may say that the result was a foregone conclusion, but a break earned by Behroozian and some of the rallies the UAE star exchanged with his much experienced rival must have done a world of good for his confidence.

"His performance today has reassured everyone that Omar has it in him to go further in his career," his father Khalid said yesterday, adding: "I believe Omar is half there after watching him play Pavel."

Behroozian felt the match was a great boost for him. "It was a great lesson," agreed Behroozian. He held two break points in Pavel's service in the fifth game of the second set but the Romanian saved the game.

"That is the difference between a top player and a player with low ranking," Behroozian pointed out. Behroozian added that he learnt from the experience against Pavel about how important it was to convert crucial points into a win. Behroozian didn't play his shots with the usual power as he looked uncomfortable at times.

He said it was not a question of getting nervous. "I was told by my coach to play soft as Pavel enjoys power game," he said.
Behroozian seems to have learnt the ropes to handle a volley of questions from the media too.

When asked which coach told him to play soft, he diplomatically answered, "Well, both my coaches and friends advised me not to allow Pavel to enjoy the power of my shots."

His coach at the UAE national team, Mats Thyren, felt that pressure of playing at home in his first major tournament might have contributed to his unforced errors.

"Omar is a much better player than he showed to fans while being beaten by Pavel," said Thyren, who watched Behroozian play.

Also observing Behroozian from the stands was the UAE Tennis Association President Sheikh Hasher Maktoum, Director of Dubai Information Department.

Both Thyren and Behroozian's father agreed that the next stop for the young UAE player should be Challenger, Future and Satellite events.

"We have options in Asia, Turkey and Greece circuits," Khalid said, hoping that points earned here would help Behroozian earn entry into main draw in these events. Khalid said that British Airways, Behroozian's sponsors, had agreed for his son to fly with a coach on tour.

"We, however, are not sure who will go with him," he said shrugging his shoulders. Behroozian echoed his father's sentiments when he said: "I really haven't thought of it."

Behroozian is coached by the former Indian Davis Cupper Zeeshan Ali at the Al Wasl Club and the two have been together for some time now.

Thyren has recently joined as the UAE national coach and Behroozian is the No 1 player in the country. On court, Behroozian got off to a nervous start as Pavel broke him in the first, fifth and seventh games to take the set (6-1).Two double faults and Behroozian, wearing his trade-mark dark glasses, was broken in the fourthÊ game of the second set.

He had a chance to break back in the fifth game when he held two game points but Pavel drilled in cross court backhand smash mixed with a drop shot to win the game after only one due point.

Behroozian, who was broken in the sixth game, earned a round of applause when he broke Pavel in the seventh game but failed to win a point in his service in the next (eighth) game asÊ Pavel closed the match (6-2).

Thrown straight into the deep end of the sea, Behroozian did creditably with his ability to stay afloat, for some time at least.