Lescure clinches singles crown

Manama : Mike Lescure of France ranked 615 in the world came back strongly in the second set to defeat Norwegian Viktor Durasovic ranked 623 by 7-5, 7-6(4) yesterday in the final of the Men’s Singles  of the U$15,000 Sixth Bahrain International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Tournament which concluded at the Bahrain Tennis Club (BTC) premises in Juffair.

In the opening set lasting around 40 minutes, it was a tight affair as the two players took advantage of their service games and managed to go the full course as they each won their opening five games to be level at 5-5.

Lescure then in the next game managed to break Durasovic after initially racing into a 30-0 lead and then held serve in the next to clinch the set.

Durasovic then raced into a 3-0 game lead with a break in the second and looked well placed to level match, as both players served up long rallies and strong returns to the delight of the crowd.

Things turned  around in the seventh game as the Frenchman effected a break and levelled at 4-4 in the next.

The next four games all went with serve to set up a tie-break.

After taking an early 2-0 lead, the Norwegian then lost five points on the trot and Lescure soon wrapped up the set and taking the title.

On the way to the final, Lescure defeated Sweden’s Milos Sekulic (6-1, 6-2) in the first round, eighth seed Jonas Merckx of Belgium (6-3, 6-4) in the Round of 16, compatriot Baptiste Crepatte (7-6(3), 6-4) in the quarter finals and  Germany’s Florian Fallert (6-3, 6-2) in the semi-finals.

Durasovic progressed against Uzbekistan’s Saida’lo Saidkarimov (6-3, 6-4) in the first round, then in the Round of 16 against eighth seeded German Tobias Simon (6-2, 5-7, 6-4) in the Round of 16, followed by victory against second seed Michal Konecny of the Czech Republic (7-6(7), 6-4) in the quarter finals and against Tom Kocevar-Desman of Slovenia (6-4, 7-6(1) in the semi-finals.

The championship was held under the patronage of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee.

The final was attended by HE Saleh Isa bin Hindi Al Mannai - The King’s Advisor for Youth and Sport Affairs,  Khamis Al Muqla, President of BTC,  William Roebuck, US Ambassador to Bahrain, Khalid Al Haj, GOYS Director of  Facilities and Projects, Dr. Faisal Almosawi, BTC member, Sujat Ameen, Head of Business Support at Bahrain Duty Free.