The Hindu : Sport : Erlich and Ram win

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Erlich and Ram win

— Photo: AP

JUBILANT: Israel’s Jonathan Erlich is lifted by his compatriot Andy Ram after they won the men’s doubles final of the Australian Open.

MELBOURNE: Best friends and doubles partners Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram became the first Israeli pairing to win a Grand Slam title when they outlasted Frenchmen Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Erlich and Ram, who did not concede a set throughout the tournament, dominated the Wimbledon champions in a match that was more lopsided than the 7-5, 7-6(4) scoreline indicated.

They celebrated their win by hugging and hoisting each other into the air. Erlich went on to carry Ram on his back as he jogged around the court.

“Since I was born I’ve been waiting for this time,” an emotional Erlich said.

Ram said Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert had already phoned to congratulate them, but they missed the call.

“They left me a message to call him back and I couldn’t reach him,” Ram said.

Erlich and Ram have won 10 tournaments together and are unbeaten in Davis Cup play since 2005. — AP

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