Paes/Tipsarevic conquers Erlich/Ram to claim the 2012 Aircel Chennai Open – Tennis Special
Third seeds, Leander Paes and Janko Tipsarevic, cruised past the fourth seeded Israeli duo, Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, in straight sets at the Aircel Chennai Open 2012 on Sunday. They registered a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Israelis to lift their maiden
title together at this first ATP World Tour event of the season, taking place in Chennai, India.
The Israeli tandem was bidding for their fifteenth doubles title but their dreams were crushed by the third seeds, who displayed top notch performance to outclass them. The Indian-Serbian pair required one hour and thirteen minutes to dump their opponents
in their first meeting.
Paes and Tipsarevic flashed into the opening set and went 3-0 up with two breaks of serve. Regardless of losing their serve in the fourth game, the higher seeds maintained their composure and held remaining serves to win the opener with a 6-4 score line.
They warded off one out of two breakpoints they came across and cashed in both break opportunities to win comfortably. The high spirited duo also produced a better first serve share of 79 percent as opposed to the Israelis’ 67 percent and clinched an impressive
16 out of 22 points on it.
The Indian-Serbian junction carried their momentum to the second set and drew the first blood in the opening game. However, they gifted away their serve in the very next game and tied the scores at 1-1. Later, Paes and Tipsarevic improved their co-ordination
and plucked in remaining serves. They converted another break chance to their advantage in the ninth game and sealed the set with a 6-4 win again. The Indo – Serbian team brushed off two out of three breakpoints he faced and capitalised on two out of four
break chances.
"I know how difficult it is mentally to play two finals on the same day," said Paes. "The way he [Tipsarevic] prepared for both the finals, it was impeccable. He epitomizes what an athlete should be."
Tipsarevic lost to Canadian Milos Raonic in an epic three setter final but covered it up by capturing his first ATP Doubles career title.
The Serb admitted, "I had a very hard pre-season. I have that every year. Fitness in general is one of my strength. I love playing with someone who loves to ask me something but also to give something."
Paes was the defending doubles champion here along with his former partner, Mahesh Bhupathi. However, they split up in the end of 2011 to achieve greater goals.
The Indo-Serb collaboration played their best tennis and deservedly won the title. They spilled no double faults and manipulated a higher first serve share. Paes and Tipsarevic finished with 55 points and this victory will raise their confidence if they
decide to play together at the Melbourne Grand Slam. However, the duo should focus on their defensive skills in order to save more breakpoints they face in a contest.
Paes and Tipsarevic battled past second seeded Americans, Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram, in a three-set thriller to set-up this meeting. Erlich and Ram, on the other hand made an epic comeback to upset the top seeds, Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, with a 4-6,
6-3, 10-8 victory to reach this spot.
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