Baker/Laaksonen stun Raja/Sharan in the opening doubles round – Dunlop World Challenge 2012 CH
A stunning outcome was seen in the opening round of the doubles category at Dunlop World Challenge, as the second seeded Indian duo of Purav Raja and Divij Sharan crashed out of the tournament. They were overwhelmed by the all-round
onslaught from the unseeded British-Swiss tandem of Jamie Baker and Henri Laaksonen on Monday. The one hour and 39-minute contest witnessed two competitive sets and the underdog contenders came out as the surprise winners at 7-5, 7-6(6).
It was an evenly poised matchup, with both pairs putting up a real fight against their opponents. The overall match statistics clearly show the intensity of the contest, as there was marginal difference between the two sides. Second
seeded Raja and Sharan had things under control at various moments but every time their opponents came from behind and snatch the lead to get in the driving seat. Baker and Laaksonen proved to be more focused in the pressure situations and cashed in their
critical opportunities to register the upset victory.
The Indian team drew first blood in the third game to break into a 2-1 lead but an immediate retaliation from the underdog competitors levelled the score line to 2-2 in the very next game. Another exchange of break points was seen
from both sides and it got tied at 5-5 once again. It appeared as if the set will enter a tie-break but a timely serve break from Baker and Laaksonen turned the tables on the second seeds in the 12th game. The British-Swiss duo closed out the first
set at 7-5 to get one up.
Raja and Sharan entered the following set with more determination and held their opening three serves comprehensively. They were broken in the eighth game but frittered away their opponent’s advantage in the next game to reach
5-5. No further break points took the set into a tie-break round and the decider also went to the wire. Raja and Sharan fought desperately to stay alive in the competition but a critical mini-break from the unseeded duo in the last moments of the set was enough
for the Indians to pack their bags home. Baker and Laaksonen finished the match at 7-6(6).
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