NEW DELHI, February 21, 2016

Stephane Robert lifting his first Challenger trophy in five years

French veteran Stephane Robert is the champion of the $50,000 Delhi Open, winning Sunday’s final against fourth seed Saketh Myneni 6-3, 6-0.

The 35-year-old from Cepoy had a good start into the season by reaching the third round of the Australian Open, losing to compatriot Gael Monfils, as well as the quarterfinal of the ATP Challenger in Launceston. In Delhi’s final, he saved all two break points he faced, converting five of his own to finish the match after only 56 minutes. Robert claimed his seventh ATP Challenger title, his first since lifting the trophy in Ostrava in 2011.

The world number 161 takes away $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP ranking points.

Mahesh Bhupathi, who is making a comeback to competitive tennis after an injury lay-off, winning his first title in three years as he combined with Yuki Bhambri to clinch the doubles crown. They won an all-Indian- final on Saturday 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 against fourth seeds Saketh Myneni and Sanam Singh in one hour and 28 minutes.

41-year-old Bhupathi, who has hardly played in the last two years and got busy in conducting IPTL apart from nursing a knee injury, last won a title in March 2013, when he pocketed the Dubai ATP event with Michael Llodra. The Indian veteran will return to the desert next week, teaming up with Pakistani Aisam-Ul-Haq Quereshi at the ATP 500 event. The tandem was granted a wild card.

Bhupathi and Bhambri at the Delhi Open