It is said over cautiousness leads to disaster. But look what a “half a step of caution” did to Prakash Amritraj. It simply set the tone of defeat. Playing World No. 18 Radek Stepanek was never going to be easy, but the Indian proved to be a tough nut in the first set, before a seven-game losing streak enabled Stepanek walk tall at the Chennai Open.

One-third of Prakash’s game was sheer aggression. Two thirds were stingless. He failed to find balance, missed a couple of close calls, and lost 6-3, 0-6, 4-6.