TASHKENT, October 15, 2016

Local hero Denis Istomin and Mikhail Elgin of Russia upset third seeds Leander Paes of India and Andre Begemann of Germany to win the doubles finals at the ninth edition of the $125,000 Tashkent ATP Challenger, held at the Olympic Tennis School in the capital city of Uzbekistan.

In Friday’s final birthday boy Elgin and his partner Istomin gained a 6-4,6-2 win to claim the title in 64 minutes. The pair will split $7,750 in prize money as well as 125 ATP ranking points.

Denis Istomin also advanced to the singles final. The seventh seed defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4, 6-4. Istomin saved both break points he faced, converting two of his own to seal victory in one hour and 11 minutes.

The world number 125 will take on Konstantin Kravchuk next. The tournament’s number five from Russia ousted Mirza Basic of Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-5, 6-3. Kravchuk didn’t lose his serve, saving 11 break points and won 74 per cent of his first service points to prevail in one hour and 21 minutes.

“I’m thrilled, as I was focused on my own game today. When I came into Tashkent we decided to go match by match, I played in a cool and composed way. I’m happy to be in the final in Tashkent,” Kravchuk told.

Kravchuk and Istomin will meet for the seventh time with the Uzbek leading 4-2 in head to head records. The last encounter between the two took place at the Astana Challenger earlier this year. Kravchuk emerged victorious in three sets.