Mahesh Bhupathi gets 1st pro title

JAKARTA (JP): Indian Mahesh Bhupathi emulated Julius Cesar's victorious campaign of veni vidi vici at the Indonesia Men's Challenger tennis championships yesterday, outlasting a weary Igor Saric of Croatia 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 for his first pro title.

Bhupathi, an amateur player, had to battle through qualifying rounds to win a place in the main draw. The 20-year-old student of business management at the University of Mississippi, the U.S., was the one who salvaged Indian tennis pride yesterday, following top seeded Leander Paes' unexpected retirement in the semifinals due to digestive problems.

"I was happy just to enter the main draw as a matter of fact. But I have performed well all week here," said an elated Bhupathi who received the winner's US$7,250 check.

Playing on the hard court of Kemayoran tennis complex, world number 437 Bhupathi, who is not ranked at home, tamed his big serving opponent during a number of long rallies.

After a superb performance in the opening set, Bhupathi looked destined to win when he broke Saric's service for a 4-2 lead in the second set.

But the Indian quickly lost his grip and committed a number of unforced errors. His two-hand backhand returns twice landed in the net to allow his first broken service. A double fault by the Indian gave Saric the equalizer before storming away to a second set win.

Bhupathi dropped another service as he started the decider with three unforced errors in a row. He appeared to give up as Saric soared to a 4-2 lead. The Indian, however, fought back by taking the net at every opportunity.

Saric struggled to save his service in the third game, but his luck ran out in the fifth. Bhupathi had Saric running here and there with lob and short cut combinations, before the Croatian completely ran out of steam.

"I was too tired after the hard-fought semifinal yesterday (Saturday)," said Saric, whose dream of a first career title was dashed in the process. Saric will have to make do with the $4,240 runner-up cash prize.

Bhupathi did not break a sweat in Saturday's all-Indian semifinal against doubles partner Paes.

Paes joined the crowd yesterday, but opted to give the English pair of Andrew Foster and Danny Sapsford a walk over win in the doubles final.

The Kemayoran tennis complex was packed with more than 200 students and military, the highest number of the tournament's crowd, who were specially invited by the organizers. (amd)