The Hindu : Sport : Bopanna wins Challenger title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 09, 2007
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Sport

Sport

Bopanna wins Challenger title

— File Photo

Rohan Bopanna.

NEW DELHI: Rohan Bopanna captured the singles title in helping himself to a double crown in the $50,000 Shelbourne Irish Open Challenger tennis tournament at Dublin.

The 27-year-old from Coorg clinched his maiden Challenger singles title with a 6-4, 6-3 verdict over qualifier Martin Pedersen of Denmark in the final.

Bopanna had earlier won the doubles title partnering Adam Feeney of Australia.

He dropped only one set along the way in capturing the singles title, on the artificial grass, and that was to the 134th ranked second-seed Mischa Zverev of Germany in the quarterfinals.

“It feels great to win both the titles in a Challenger. I had always believed in my game, and have been working towards this. Hopefully, I will be able to maintain the standard and get better results,” said a delighted Bopanna, as he checked into Holland for the next event, the $100,000 Siemens Open on red clay at Scheveningen.

Special exempt

Entered in the main draw as a ‘special exempt’ following his pre-occupation in the Dublin Challenger during the qualifying event of the Dutch tournament, Bopanna has been drawn to meet Christophe Rochus of Belgium in the first round.

In doubles, he is seeded No.2, and partners Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay.

His gainful employment over the weekend made Bopanna considerably rich. The singles title at Dublin was worth 55 ATP points and 6,150 euros for Bopanna and the doubles title fetched him 55 ATP points and his share of 1,325 euros.

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