Ferreira-Leach win World doubles title

Ellis Ferreira (South Africa) and Rick Leach (USA) lifted the ATP World Doubles Challenge Cup defeating the giant killers Petr Pala and Pavel Vizner (both Czech Republic) in the final in Bangalore on Saturday.

Ferreira and Leach, seeded number six, came from behind to beat the fourth seeded Czech pair 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 6-4 in a three hour, four minute-duel at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association Courts.

The winning pair took home US $1,45,000, including US $72,000 for their title round victory. The Czech pair collected US $73,000.

It was not the day of the Czech pair after their dream run in the Championship that saw them ousting the Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, as well as top seeded Don Johnson and Jared Palmer (US).

After losing the first set, Ferreira and Leach clawed their way back into the match, raising their level of game notches higher. In fact, they bagged the last two sets without much difficulty.

But it was Pala and Vizner, the brothers-in-law combination, who initially took control of the match as they took the first set.

The first set went on serves and meandered to a tiebreak, which was also a touch-and-go affair.

The Czech combine employed their game plan to good effect by taking calculated risks. The teams were tied three-all and six-all and then Pala earned a service point to 7-6 and forced Leach to net a return after three rallies. However, in the second set, Leach-Ferriera pair kept the Czechs on a leash, hitting their volleys low and placing their returns.

On few occasions, Leach succeeded in finding the gap between the rivals to score points. Ferreira was a shade better than Leach in his service returns and later, a concerted effort helped them break Pala. Two great volley returns from Ferreira took the fourth game to deuce. Pala, who was under tremendous pressure, double faulted and was down 1-3. Then on, the rivals chose to proceed cautiously. However, the Czechs were able to raise their game when it mattered most. They broke Leach in the seventh game with two break points and drew level with Pala holding his eighth game (4-4). The second set too went into a tiebreak and the more experienced Leach and Ferreira clinched the set 7-6.

Earlier reports:
Day 4: Leach-Ferreira romp into final
Day 3: Paes/Bhupathi crash out
Day 2: Paes/Bhupathi score second successive victory
Day 1: Paes-Bhupathi kick off campaign in style