CHANDIGARH, Jan 14: Despite mercury dropping to seven degree Celsius and sky remaining overcast throughout the day, brilliant tennis was dished out in the $10,000 Gold Flake ITF Men's Futures Tennis Tournament at the CLTA Complex in Sector 10 here today. Syed Fazaluddin, partnering Cedric Kauffmann of France, warmed up the hearts of the Indian fans by storming into the doubles final.The victory became more creditable and sweet as Fazaluddin-Kauffmann upset the applecart of the top-seeded pair of Simon Aspelin of Sweden and Jocelyn Robichaud of Canada 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in an action-packed semi-final lasting one hour and 37 minutes.Their opponents for the title will be the second-seeded Israel pair of Jonathan Erlich and Amir Haddad who defeated fourth seeds Ivo Karlovic of Croatia and Michael Kogan of Israel 7-6 (1), 6-1 in the second semi-final in 73 minutes.Executing his shots with authority, the 385th-ranked top seed Amir Haddad of Israel, moved majestically into semi-final by outclasing 508th-ranked eighth seed Cedric Kauffmann of France 6-3, 6-1 in all departments of the game in just 46 minutes.In a battle of qualifiers - Simon Larose, ranked 733, of Canada and 690th ranked Armando Brunold of Switzerland - the former prevailed 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 90 minutes. Larose will now lock horns with the mighty Haddad for a berth in the final.From the lower half of draw third seed Jonathan Erlich, ranked 416th, and 6' 11'' tall Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, ranked 680, moved into the semi-final. Erlich snuffed out the powerful challenge of 475th ranked sixth seed Yves Allegro of Switzerland 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 in an evenly contested and the longest quarter-final encounter which lasted two hours and 15 minutes.Allegro also displayed his tantrums as he threw his racquet twice on the court in frustration. He also tried to dig the court with his foot. That happpened in the third game of the third set.Long-legged Karlovic did not face any opposition from his rival, the 607th-ranked Artem Derepasko of Russia 6-1, 6-4 in 56 minutes.Syed Fazaluddin and Kauffmann began with a bang by racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set against Aspelin and Robichaud. However, Kauffamnn became a little nervous with his serve. He was broken in the seventh game. Aspelin and Robichaud bounced back into the game with vengeance and made it 4-all and later broke Fazaluddin's service in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead. Aspelin held his serve for a 6-4 win.Fazaluddin-Kauffmman again jumped to a 4-1 lead in the second set. They, however, allowed Aspelin and Robichaud to wrest the initiative as they won three games in a row to make it 5-all from 2-5. With Aspelin and Robichaud now enjoying the court supremacy, it looked as if they will register a straight-set win. However, Fazaluddin had other ideas. He retained his serve with an ace to make it 6-5.It was the turning point in the game. In the tie-breaker Fazaluddin and Kauffmann gained a 6-3 lead and won it at 7-5.The third set was also a close affair. After a double fault by Aspelin, Fazaluddin and Kauffmann got the vital break for a 4-3 lead and won the set and game at 6-4.ResultsSingles (q-finals): 1-Amir Haddad (Isr, 385) bt 8-Cedric Kauffmann (Fra, 508) 6-3. 6-3, 46 minutes, Q-Simon Larose (Can, 733) bt Q-Armando Brunold (Sui, 690) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, 90 minutes, 3-Jonathan Erlich (Isr, 416) bt 6-Yves Allegro (Sui, 475) 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5, 135 minutes, Ivo Karlovic (Cro, 680) bt Artem Derepasko (Rus, 607) 6-1, 6-4, 56 minutes.Doubles (s-finals): Syed Fazaluddin (Ind) and Cedric Kauffmann (Fra) 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 97 mts, 2-Amir Haddad and Jonathan Erlich (Isr) bt Ivo Karlovic (Cro) and Michael Kogan (Isr) 7-6 (1), 6-1, 73 mts.
