Carlos as usual kept his cool when he said "I think, I need to break one of my limbs to win this championship", on being asked how he's feeling about the finals next day after his semis victory in Chennai Open 2005.
A perfect display of tenacity could be seen on the night of Jan 9, 2005 when our King gracefully manipulated the Asian player in retaining the title yet another year. Experience coupled with mastery, the champ held the ball intact well within the other end of the court long enough for the opponent to end up in a mistake.
The curtains unveiled when Carlos was 2-0 down in the second set after losing the first set. It all began with a smashing forehand winner and he marched all the way to his second set victory. It was again 5-2 in the deciding set, Paradorn was serving for the championship. Now a backhand rocket from Carlos, for which paradorn looked helplessly as it shot through the base line of other end and through many hearts as well. Scads of rockets continued to splash around for the next four games in the same set which ended in a tie break which again was equally breath-taking. A Spanish feast. Such a slugfest will for sure be remembered for long or at least till Jan 3rd 2006.
His class, persistence and indomitable will to retain the Chennai Open title, only to lend the winning amount for the tsunami-relief is something I believe, regardless of the amount, it to be the best contribution in the world.
