The Hindu : Leander-Rikl pair wins title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 14, 2003

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Leander-Rikl pair wins title

GSTAAD JULY 13. Leander Paes won his 27th career doubles title on the professional tour in the 525,000 Euros Allianz Swiss Open in Gstaad on Sunday.

The top-seeded Leander and David Rikl of the Czech Republic beat fourth-seeded Frantisek Cermak and Leos Friedl of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3 in the final, in just over an hour.

It was the third title in the season for Leander, following the ones in Dubai and Delray Beach.

In the singles final third-seeded Jiri Novak snapped Wimbledon champion Roger Federer's 15-match winning streak 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Novak prevented the top-ranked Federer from becoming the first Swiss to win the Open in 23 years. He also extended a streak of his own, winning his 10th straight match at Gstaad, and first ATP title since he won here in 2001.

Novak couldn't defend his title last year because of injury.

``I must be one of the happiest men in the world right now,'' he said. It was a measure of vindication for Novak, who had lost his only other final this year to Federer in February at Dubai, and tied their head-to-head record at 4-4.

It was a bitter pill for Federer, who had delighted organizers and home fans by making an appearance in Gstaad immediately following his stunning victory in Wimbledon.

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