PUNE, November 17, 2019
Second seeded James Duckworth of Australia won his fourth ATP Challenger title of the year, as he got past fifth seeded Jay Clarke of Great Britain in the finals of the sixth edition of the KPIT MSLTA Challenger held at the MSLTA School of tennis courts at the Mhalunge Balewadi Sports Complex. In Sunday’s title match, the 27-year-old of Brisbane scored a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win in two hours and 18 minutes.
Clarke was heading well in the match after claiming the first set 6-4, in the second Clarke had three breakpoints but could not hold on and then found himself broken and losing the second set. In the third set Duckworth broke Clarke in the ninth game and seal the match 6-4 and fall on the ground celebrating his win.
One of the best championship points of 2019. Electric scenes in Pune!@JamesDuck21 takes the title at the @KPITChallenger, streaking to his fourth #ATPChallenger 🏆 of the year. pic.twitter.com/2qPseF2aqk
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 17, 2019
“I’m thrilled to win the event , it has been a lot of handwork for me I have been out of tennis since the later part of 2017 and have gone through 5 major operations, this is for my family who has supported me. I’m glad to get back to the Top 100 as it guarantees entry into bigger events and also ensures that i’m comfortable on finances,” said Duckworth.
Duckworth playing his eighth straight ATP Challenger event in a row, made valuable 80 ATP-Ranking points and $7,200 in prize money. The win at Pune will take back Duckworth in the Top 100, cementing his place in the main draw of the Australian Open.
Clarke, who was contesting his second ATP challenger final of the year, would have to be content with 48 ATP Ranking points and $4,240 for his efforts of reaching the championship match.
Purav Raja and Ramkumar Ramanathan secured their second doubles title on a trot as they closed out another Indian Pair Arjun Kadhe and Saketh Myneni 7-6(3),6-3 in the final. Ramanathan and Raja picked up $3,100 and 80 ATP Ranking points.
