Special Correspondent
LUDHIANA: Aqeel Khan beat Aditya Madkekar 6-3, 7-6(5) in the final of the Harvest Academy $10,000 ITF men’s Futures tennis tournament at Jassowal on Saturday.
It was the second title at this level for the 27-year-old Aqeel who had incidentally won his other title also on Indian soil, at Hyderbad in September 2004.
It was the third defeat in as many meetings for Madkekar at the hands of Aqeel.
Top-seeded Aqeel started on a strong note, while Madkekar lost ground straightaway getting broken in his first service game following three double faults.
Madkekar broke Aqeel in the seventh game of the first set but lost his serve in the next game to nullify the advantage.
Aqeel wound up the set, which he had started with an ace, with his fifth ace.
Into the second set, it was Madkekar who was calling the shots as he broke Aqeel in the sixth game and even enjoyed a set point on the Pakistani’s serve in the eighth game.
Swinging the balance
Aqeel clung on bravely in tough humid conditions, serving strongly and playing with added intensity to swing the balance again in his favour as Madkekar’s game stuttered in the ninth game.
Aqeel dropped only one point in all on his next two service games.
It was a brave effort from Madkekar as he battled a bout of cramps that saw him seek medical attention after two points in the 12th game to eventually hold serve and force the tie-break.
After tripping to 1-4 in the tie-break following his fifth double fault, Madkekar came up with a gutsy fare to be on par at 5-5, but a meek return saw him face match point.
Aqeel came up with a classy passing shot to wind up the show that spanned an hour and 35 minutes.
