Date:06/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/06/stories/2006030649492100.htm

Sport - Tennis

Rafael Nadal triumphs

DUBAI: Rafael Nadal, playing only his second tournament in four months, beat top-seeded Roger Federer 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Dubai Open on Saturday.

Nadal, seeded and ranked second, took just under two hours to claim victory.

The defeat ended three-time defending champion Federer's 56-match hardcourt streak. He had won both his tournaments this year — the Australian and Doha Opens.

Petrova beats Mauresmo

Second-seeded Nadia Petrova beat the second-ranked Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-3, 7-5 to win the final of the Qatar Open.

Horna, Groenefeld

take titles

Luis Horna of Peru beat seventh-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 7-6(5), 6-4 to win the Mexican Open.

In the women's final, second-seeded Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany defeated defending champion Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 .

The results:

At Dubai (ATP Dubai Open): Final: Rafael Nadal bt Roger Federer 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

At Doha (WTA Qatar Open): Final: Nadia Petrova bt Amelie Mauresmo 6-3, 7-5.

At Las Vegas (ATP Tennis Channel Open): Semifinals: Lleyton Hewitt bt Paul Goldstein 3-6, 6-1, 6-0; James Blake bt Ivo Karlovic 7-6(2), 6-1.

At Mexico City (ATP & WTA Abierto Mexicano Telcel): Men: Final: Luis Horna bt Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6(5), 6-4. Women: Final: Anna-Lena Groenefeld bt Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. — Agencies