Chandigarh, May 27, 2016
N.Sriram Balaji of India had mixed luck today as he claimed the doubles title but lost in the singles semi-final of the $ 25,000 ITF Men's Futures Tennis Tournament in Andijan (Uzbekistan).
Top seeded pair of N Sriram Balaji and his Russian partner Markos Kalovelonis took 61 minutes to dispose of the challenge of Roman Khassanov (KAZ) and Vitaly Kozyukov (RUS) in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.
The winning streek of Balaji, seeded fifth in singles, was terminated by second seeded Temur Ismailov of Uzbekistan in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 21 minutes in the semi-final encounter.
With ATP ranking of 467th, Ismailov displayed brilliant performance as he fired half a dozen aces and committed two double faults. Despite his 68.4 per cent first service in, Balaji did not fire even a single ace and committed three double faults today. However, Balaji ranked 514th could win 66.7 per cent (6 out of 9) of his serive games while his rival won 90 per cent of his service games (9/10).
Ismailov won the first set by 6-3 after breaking Balaji's service in the second game to go 2-0 up. Balaji put up improved display in the second set. Ismailov broke Balaji's service in the third game. Balaji made it 3-3 by breaking his opponent in the sixth game. However, Ismailov again broke Balaji's service in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead and went on the claim the set 6-4 and match for final berth.
Ismailov will now face top seed Chen Ti of Taipie who ousted eighth seed Yaraslau of Belarus 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and seven minutes.
Results:
Singles (semi-finals): Ti Chen (TPE) [1] bt Yaraslau Shyla (BLR) [8] 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, Temur Ismailov (UZB) [2] bt N.Sriram Balaji (IND) [5] 6-3, 6-4.
Doubles (final) N. Sriram Balaji (IND) / Markos Kalovelonis (RUS) [1] bt Roman Khassanov (KAZ) / Vitaly Kozyukov (RUS) 6-3, 6-4.