Chennai, Jan 17 (.) In an all Indian final, local favourites Ramkumar Ramanathan and Jeevan Nedunchezhian annexed the Doubles
title, with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8), while top seeded Max Houkes to play Neils Visker in an all Netherlands singles finals of the Adityan
ITF M25 Tennis Tournament here on Saturday evening.
In the first semifinals, Max Houkes took on third seed Jonas Forejtek. The first set went on serve until 4-4, but it was clear that Max was
directing the speed and flow of the game.
With the crucial break in the 10th game, Max closed out the set 6-4 and started on a more active mode breaking Jonas in the 2nd game
itself to secure a 4-1 in the second set.
However Jonas came back strongly to level the score 4-4 and in the 9th game again Max broke Jonas serve and Max seemed to have his
number drawing him and consistent passing him on both flanks. The second set finished quickly to give Max Houkes a well deserved
6-4, 6-4 win and a palce in the final.
The second match between second seed Ilia Simakin and Neils Visker was full of power and counter punching. Neils Visker got into thick
of things early showing more intent and aggression than his opponent.
Visker got a early break to go up 3-1 lead but the experienced Simakin came back strongly to equal the score to 6-6.
After an exchange of breaks the set ended with Visker winning the first set in tiebreaker 7-6(5).
The second set started off tamely with neither being able to get a break and finally Neils broke Simakin in the 10th game to book his place in the final to be played tomorrow.
Neils on 6-4.
The Doubles finals between Ramkumar Ramanathan and Jeevan Nedunchezhian and third seed Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha
saw the experienced Ram and Jeevan being blasted out of the first set 6-4.
Jeevan and Ram pair however seemed to have shrugged off the first set loss and came back with new energy and vigor to take the second set 6-3.
The match was well set up for a thrilling finish with a 10 point tie break. The experience of Ram brought a sense of calmness to the team’s approach in the tie break and that made the difference with Ram and Jeevan pocketing the decider 10-8 and walked away with
the title.
The pair won 1782 USD for their victory along with 25 ATP points, while the runner-up took home 1023 USD and 16 ATP points.
. GV 1945