Yuki Bhambri wins double-crown at Chennai Challenger Meet

Chennai: Talented Yuki Bhambri played some of his best tennis in his career this week as he annexed double crown winning both singles and doubles event at the ATP Challenger tennis tournament here this evening.

The Indian Davis Cupper, who is ranked 174 in the singles list beat Alexander Kudryavtsev of Russia 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling three-setter. In the deciding set, Yukli was trailing 3-5 against the world No 234 but won four games in a row with double breaks.

Yuki, then partnered Michael Venus of New Zealand and the second seeds comfortably beat a fighting N Sriram Balaji and Blaz Rola of Slovakia 6-4, 7-6 (3) in straight sets. In the singles final, Kudryavtsev of Russia continued to have the tag of an under-achiever compared to the enormous talent, he has when he lead 5-3 in the final set only to concede the next 4 games in a fairly tame manner.

Yuki on the other hand stood up to his opponent's onslaught and played some remarkably long rallies eliciting errors from the Russian to give him a well deserved title, USD 7200 and 80 ATP Points. In the first set, Yuki faltered against Alexander's forceful play. Though Yuki kept up with him till 4-4 all he was broken in the 10th game rather easily to allow the Russian to win the first set 6-4.

The second set saw an exchange of breaks up to 3 all but again a lack-luster and error prone coupled with Yuki's consistent aggression resulted in the latter taking the set 6-3. Kudryavtsev lead right through in the final set. In the final set Kudryavtsev let 3-1. Yuki evened proceedings at 3-all and then Kudryavtsev once again lead 5-3.

He then in inexplicably cracked and unleashed a series of errors which enabled Yuki to take control and play solid tennis winning the set and the match. In the doubles, Yuki Bhambri and Michael Venus of New Zealand got the better of Sriram Balaji and Blaz Rola of Slovakia in straight sets.

The latter put up a fight in the second set but faltered in the tiebreak to give Yuki a memorable doubles. The Doubles Winner received USD 3100 as a pair while the runners-up were richer by USD 1800.