Tursunov hits 2nd high in 2 weeks

For someone whose game doesn8217;t quite boast of consistency, and who upends the whole idea of momentum, Dmitry Tursunov has done well to ...

For someone whose game doesn8217;t quite boast of consistency, and who upends the whole idea of momentum, Dmitry Tursunov has done well to pick two career-defining clinchers in two straight weeks. On Monday, the Russian clinched his maiden ATP singles title in Mumbai8217;s inaugural edition, exactly a week after he had secured a Davis Cup final berth for Russia 8212; the first ever against the US 8212; beating Andy Roddick in a marathon five-setter.

Playing Czech Tomas Berdych on the reserve Monday, Tursunov8217;s route to the 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 5 victory mirrored the stop-start conditions that prevailed in Mumbai for two days. With heavy rains on Sunday, the singles final had first spilled into the next week, with the players8217; minds half drifting into Tokyo, where the Tour caravan heads next.

Monday witnessed two drizzly interruptions as well, the first prolonged with Tursunov a set up, the latter 8212; a brief one with the two a set apiece and 5-games all in the third set. Playing a scrappy match 8212; both players even received a violation each for two sets of tantrums 8212; the final boiled down to who could make their impatience hurt less. And Tursunov, who had played four straight three-setters over the last few days, stepped up his game, though only just, but when it mattered.

The 23-year-old huge-hitter, had fewer of those scorching winners on Monday 8212; relying more on slices and working the equally inconsistent Berdych to different corners of the court. It was to the Russian8217;s credit that despite his unusually faltering serve which saw 11 double faults, he could work his way to go 4-2 up in the sixth game of the third set, though he conceded the advantage soon after and the set tapered into a tie-break. Berdych netted a tame backhand return to go down 7-5, summing up the experience as a nice week with a bad end. 8220;When I came after Davis Cup, I was expecting to go home everyday and booked my plane in that way,8217;8217; he said.

Tursunov echoed his rival8217;s sapped state of mind and body, saying, 8220;I think both of us were playing really tight, and it was a crap-shoot in the tie-break. I probably lost about 10 years of my life playing this match. I really hope I don8217;t have to win too many finals playing tie-breaks in the third set.8217;8217;

Spectators sitting on the far end of the stands, had as much to fear as his rival 8212; the public seeing an up-the-court lob in response to a dicey line call thud in their midst, while Berdych helplessly viewed his down the line backhands that earned the Russian most of his points.

Beating Roddick 17-15 in the fifth set a week ago, would sure have prepared him for tie-breaks. And, some of his shots pointed to a man who toys with his opponents and can summon a deadly forehand at will. Now he has a title to show for all the antics.

Bhupathi-Ancic duo wins

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Mumbai: Chief organiser Mahesh Bhupathi took his mind off worrying about the rains and the courts, to complete a 6-4, 6-7 6, 10-8 win in the company of Mario Ancic over the all-India team of Mustafa Ghouse and Rohan Bopanna in the doubles final. Bhupathi picked his 34 th career ATP title, while Ancic won his ninth 8212; the two completing a second successful outing after their title triumph in China.

The Indian duo 8212; who got together just 30 minutes before the draw 8212; ran the Indo-Croat pair close, with Bopanna pulling off four aces in the super tie-break to bring alive a clash played out on the side courts. 8220;We should thank Leander for us playing together and making the final,8217;8217; Ghouse joked later. Bhupathi steadied a nervy Ancic, who was trying hard to rush and finish it with an impending flight. It was Bhupathi8217;s experience that pulled them through in the end.