Here is a comprehensive look at this week’s tennis stories:
ATP Tour: Haas wins fourth title at home
In Munich, the home crowd was in for an exciting final clash between Philipp Kohlschereiber and veteran Tommy Haas. The former world no.2 won against the defending champion in straight sets (6-3 7-6 (3)). The 35 year old is projected to rise to no.13 in next week’s rankings after winning his first title the BMW Open, his fourth on home soil. The doubles champions were Dmitry Tursnov (RUS) and Jarkko Nieminen (FIN). The duo played some solid tennis throughout the week, upsetting two seeded teams before defeating Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) and Eric Butorac (USA) 6-4 6-1 for the title.
At Oeiras, world no. 4 David Ferrer lost to world no.17 Stanislas Wawrinka. In a match which lasted just an hour and four minutes, the Swiss no.2 won 6-4 6-1. Ferrer seemed to be out of form, losing his serve thrice and failing to make an impact in the match. In the doubles finals, Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) and Scott Lipsky (USA) defeated Aisam Qureshi (PAK) and Jean-Julian Rojer (NED) 6-3 4-6 10-7.
It is going to be an interesting month ahead.
WTA Tour: Hingis steers Pavlyuchenkova to victory
At Oeiras, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) lifted the Portugal open trophy, winning 7-5 6-2 against Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP). The Russian world no.19, presently being coached by former great Martina Hingis, lifted her first clay court trophy. In the same tournament, compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova lost in the quarterfinal stage. The teenage duo of Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) and Chan Hao-ching (TPE) lifted the doubles trophy.
ITF Circuit: Myneni wins 5th title
In the $15,000 Chandigarh ITF Futures event, 25-year old Saketh Myneni won the singles title beating Vijayant Malik 3-6 6-1 6-4 . Malik won against an injured Yuki Bhambri in the semifinals.
In the doubles event, Sriram Balaji and Ranjeet VM defeated the duo of Arun Prakash Rajagopalan and Vishnu Vardhan 6-3 6-4. Both the draws were entirely dominated by Indians.
ATP Challenger Tour: Indians shine in South Africa
In Johannesburg, the Indo-American pair of Rajeev Ram and Prakash Amritraj won the title at the $100,000 Soweto open defeating second seeds and Indians Purav Raja and Divij Sharan. The scoreline read 7-6 (1) 7-6 (1).
All the three Indians crashed out in the first round of the singles competition.
At An-Ning, China, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan ousted the 7th seed Vincent Millot (FRA)6-3 3-6 6-2 in the first round. In the second round, he lost to Danilo Petrovic (SRB) 4-6 4-6