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• november

Stakhovsky rallies to courageous victory

The ATP World Tour 250 St. Petersburg Open 2009 has finished today in Russia's Northern Capital. Another great page has been inscribed into the chronicles of the prestigious tournament. All the six present finalists (four doubles and two singles) reached this high level for the first time in their careers. Another curious fact is that both finals went on the same scenario. But everything in its own order...

The first to play on the centre court were the doubles players. The British duet Fleming/Skupski faced the French pair Gasquet/Chardy. The first set was taken by the more eminent French 6-2. But in the second set everything changed. The British managed to find a clue to their opponents' game and defeated them 7-5. And they won the super tie-break with no particular problems 10-4.

Before the singles final match it was difficult to call any of the players a favourite. Both Horacio Zeballos of Argentina and Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine were equally worth the victory. And the spectators' preferences also divided. Early in the match Zeballos was luckier and he won it 6-2. And Stakhovsky who was playing his eighth match this week (including three qualification matches!) seemed to have no more power for this final. He was in no case going to give in. Sergiy won the second set at a tie-break saving a match point 7-6(8). He also won the third set but this time it was Horacio who had a match point that he did not use. After that Stakhovsky took two points in a row and thus the whole match 7-6(7).

So Stakhovsky has become the 12^th St. Petersburg Open champion.

It should be added that this title has become Sergiy's second title this season and both were taken through the qualifications.         

     

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