Ramkumar Ramanathan & Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan lift the Doubles Title at ITF M25 Chennai
(Pic: Pramod Mani)
Local favourites Ramkumar Ramanathan & Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan won the Doubles final, while their compatriots S D Prajwal Dev & Nitin Kumar Sinha finished runners-up in an all-India showdown.
The Doubles Finals between the top seed Ramkumar Ramanathan & Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and third seed Prajwal Dev and Nitin Kumar Sinha was played at 4 PM. The experienced pair of Ram and Jeevan was blasted out of the first set 6-4 by Nitin Sinha’s powerful return and Dev’s calm and mature doubles play. The 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 to the match tie break and that made the difference with Ram and Jeevan won the decider 10-8.
The pair won 1782 USD for their efforts along with 25 ATP points while the Runner Up took home 1023 USD and 16 ATP points.
The prize and trophy was distributed by Mr Kannan Adityan, Managing Director-Malai Murasu Private Limited in the presence of Mr B.Venkatatesh, Hon Secretary TNTA.
The Singles semi final proceedings started at 10 AM with top seed Max Houkes playing third seed Jonas Forejtek. The first set was on serve until 4-4 but it was clear that Max was directing the speed and flow of the game. With the break in the 10th game, Max was able to close the set 6-4.Max started on a more active mode breaking Jonas in the 2nd game itself to give a 4-1 lead for Max, however Jonas came back strongly to equal 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.
The second match between second seed Ilia Simakin and Neils Visker was full of power and counter punching. Neils Visker got into a thick of things early showing more intent and aggression than his opponent. Visker got a early break to go 3-1 lead but experienced Simakin came back strongly to equal the score to 6-6.After an exchange of breaks the set finished with Visker winning the first set i the 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.
