The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Gruel wins title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 21, 2004

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Gruel wins title

By Kamesh Srinivasan

GURGAON, NOV. 20. German Simon Greul proved too good for the second week in succession as he overpowered second-seeded Norikazu Sugiyama of Japan 6-2, 6-2 to capture the singles title in the second leg of the Satellite tennis circuit at the NTA Complex here on Saturday.

However, his bid to win a double crown and his first Satellite doubles title did not materialise, as he along with compatriot Peter Mayer-Tischer lost to the third-seeded Sergei Krotiouk of Russia and Alexey Kedriouk of Kazakhstan.

Serving strongly and hitting groundstrokes with considerable intensity, the third-seeded Greul was concentration personified in outplaying Sugiyama who had won the last Satellite in India on the hard courts a few months back.

"This week was more difficult than the first week, as I had a couple of tough early rounds. The rest in the semifinals helped me, as my opponent conceded early. I was tired, but am fit. I am happy to win this second title and hope to continue in the same fashion," said Greul.

Sugiyama praised Greul on his solid game, and said that he was pleased about getting back his own form after the first round loss to Divij Sharan in the first week. "I had my chances, but he played better every time. It was difficult for me today," said Sugiyama. The Japanese expressed surprise at having to play at a remote venue on a bad surface for three weeks in a row.

Greul collected $812.50 and took his tally to 42 circuit points from two weeks. Sugiyama had to be content with $562.50 and 15 circuit points. The doubles champion team collected $393.75 and the runner-up won $206.25.

The results (finals): Singles: Simon Greul (Ger) bt Norikazu Sugiyama (Jpn) 6-2, 6-2. Doubles: Alexey Kedriouk (Kaz) and Sergei Krotiouk (Rus) bt Simon Greul and Peter Mayer-Tischer (Ger) 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (5).