Sport - Tennis

Nathan Thompson bags second successive title

GURGAON: Nathan Thompson of the U.S. clinched his second successive title outplaying top-seeded Mohammad Al Ghareeb of Kuwait 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the $10,000 ITF men’s Futures tennis tournament at the NTA Complex here on Saturday.

As he had done last week in Mumbai, the 25-year-old Thompson did not drop a set through the week.

In fact, it was a more authoritative performance this time as Thompson did not concede more than four games in any of the five rounds.

Thompson’s third singles title of his career fetched him $1,300 and 12 ATP points.

It should help him climb up from an unimpressive rank of 638.

In a contest that promised much, especially after the 27-year-old Al Ghareeb had got off to a good start by winning a break in the third game, it was a disappointment that the Kuwaiti won only two of the next 13 games.

After dominating from the back court with his heavy groundstrokes, Thompson brought the curtains down with his attacking play at the net on the last point, and put his arms up in triumph.

The Kuwaiti suffered from the final blues yet again and failed to win a title for the fifth time in as many finals.

Three of those finals had been back home and the other in Poland last year.

Al Ghareeb had the game but lacked the self-belief to make a match of it.

He had to settle for $900 and eight ATP points.

The Secretary-General of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), Anil Khanna, presented the trophies.

The result: (final): Nathan Thompson (U.S.) bt Al Ghareeb (Kuw) 6-2, 6-2. — Special Correspondent

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