ID :
12426
Mon, 07/14/2008 - 11:25
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http://m.oananews.org//node/12426
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Amritraj just one win away from maiden ATP title
New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) Prakash Amritraj stunned seventh seed Frank Dancevic in a gruelling three-setter to become the first Indian in a decade and only the second wild card in the tournament history to enter the finals of USD 385,000 Hall ofFame Tennis Championships in Newport, United States.
The California-based Indian Davis Cupper upset his Canadian rival 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 in a battle lasting two hours and 18 minutes to join Australian Mark Philippoussis, who went on to clinch the title in 2006, as the only other wild card tomake the Newport finals.
Giantkiller Prakash will now be up against second seed and defending champion Fabrice Santoro, who beat Vince Spadea7-6 (4) 6-1 in the other semifinal, in the summit clash.
The 24-year-old Prakash is the first Indian to reach anATP final since Leander Paes won the 1998 Newport title.
Prakash's hard-fought win was watched by his illustrious father Vijay Amritraj, who clinched three of his 16 ATP titlesat Newport.
If Prakash beats Santoro Sunday, it would not just give him his maiden ATP title and a pay cheque of USD 64,000 but would also make him and Vijay just the second father-son duoto have won an ATP title.
In 2002, in Newport, Taylor Dent won the title, joining his dad Phil as the first father-son duo to have won ATPtitles.
Prakash has a 6-1 season record after posting wins this week over Joseph Sirianni, Jesse Levine, qualifier RohanBopanna and Dancevic.
His previous best ATP result came last year at Newport only, where he reached the quarterfinals. PTI
The California-based Indian Davis Cupper upset his Canadian rival 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 in a battle lasting two hours and 18 minutes to join Australian Mark Philippoussis, who went on to clinch the title in 2006, as the only other wild card tomake the Newport finals.
Giantkiller Prakash will now be up against second seed and defending champion Fabrice Santoro, who beat Vince Spadea7-6 (4) 6-1 in the other semifinal, in the summit clash.
The 24-year-old Prakash is the first Indian to reach anATP final since Leander Paes won the 1998 Newport title.
Prakash's hard-fought win was watched by his illustrious father Vijay Amritraj, who clinched three of his 16 ATP titlesat Newport.
If Prakash beats Santoro Sunday, it would not just give him his maiden ATP title and a pay cheque of USD 64,000 but would also make him and Vijay just the second father-son duoto have won an ATP title.
In 2002, in Newport, Taylor Dent won the title, joining his dad Phil as the first father-son duo to have won ATPtitles.
Prakash has a 6-1 season record after posting wins this week over Joseph Sirianni, Jesse Levine, qualifier RohanBopanna and Dancevic.
His previous best ATP result came last year at Newport only, where he reached the quarterfinals. PTI
