Giant-killer Dmitry Mazur of Uzbekistan deservedly claimed the ITF Futures singles title, edging past Poland's Filip Urban 7-6(7/3), 2-6, 6-4 in the final in Chennai on Saturday.
Both players figured in the summit clash after going through the grind of having to qualify for the main draw and accounting for better-known opponents.
Mazur had, in fact, disposed of top seed Todor Enev of Bulgaria in the first round. Despite dropping a set, there was no doubt that he was the better player today.
For his efforts he took home US $1300.
The players tested each other with their forehand and double- fisted backhand cross court strokes from the baseline though Mazur occasionally came up to the net to Urban's surprise.
Mazur had a good start in the first set, breaking Urban in the first game to go up 2-0. However, Urban wiped out the deficit with a break in the 10th game and then the set drifted into the tie-breaker, which Mazur dominated after being level 3-3.
There was a total change of scene in the second set with Urban unwilling to surrender. He came up with telling serves and even sent down a few aces too. Urban led 5-2 and then it was
a mere formality for him to finish the set 6-2.
Mazur managed to take a 3-0 lead in the third set despite his poor serves and mistimed forehand returns but Urban, who was able to win his fourth and sixth games went into a slumber again to allow Mazur to take the tie.