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Thompson claims title

Principal Correspondent

— Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

Thompson.

KOLKATA: Sixth-seeded Rupesh Roy of India failed to cash in on a good start as eighth-seeded American Nathan Thompson came from behind to win the title in the $10,000 ITF Futures at the Pailan World School Academy here on Saturday.

Playing his third final of an ITF event, Roy convincingly won the first set but failed to maintain the tempo against Thompson who showed better consistency and endurance to outlast his rival in a gruelling three-setter played in intense conditions.

Roy, playing his second Futures final in the city in five months, came out with a wide array of shots to gain two breaks against Thompson's one to win the first set easily (6-4).

Roy became erratic in the second set and could use his service game only once to help his American opponent win the set (6-2) and level the score 1-1.

In the decider Thompson won a break in the third game before Roy broke back to make it 2-2. But as the set wore on the American looked more consistent and earned the decisive break in 11th game to ensure the set (7-5).

Harsh weather

The weather became the biggest challenge for the players, many of whom had to retire with dehydration. The players were exposed to even harsher conditions as the synthetic surface heated up shooting the on-court temperature.

Thompson became the latest casualty of the severe conditions as he had to be taken to a hospital for treatment shortly after winning the final.

The player, who took long breaks within the sets and used ice-bags to cool down during the game-breaks, fell ill after returning to the dressing room and had to be rushed to the hospital. According to the organisers, the player was put on saline drips and was said to be recovering.

The results:

Men's singles (final): Nathan Thompson bt Rupesh Roy 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 .

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