Fazaluddin, Mankad to clash in final

Davis Cupper Syed Fazaluddin of West Bengal made a late charge to defeat top seeded Vinod Sridhar of Tamil Nadu 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 and set up a title clash against Maharashtra's Harsh Mankad in the Indian Oil-Servo tennis championship at the Krishnan Tennis Centre in Madras on Wednesday.

Mankad scored an easy 6-1, 6-3 victory over Saurav Panja of West Bengal in the other semi-final.

In the first semi-final, Fazaluddin could not get his act together initially, as Sridhar broke him twice to lead 3-0. But he made amends for his lapses and got back into the game, claiming the next four games in a row with a variety of strokes. However, Sridhar did not give up and clinched the next three games for the set.

In the second set, Fazaluddin turned the heat on Sridhar and raced to a 4-0 lead. After Sridhar broke Fazaluddin in the fifth and held his serve, the rivals won their respective games, before Fazaluddin neutralised the set score.

Fazaluddin, who raised his game to good effect and also played at an increased pace, was at total command in the third set. Sridhar was able to win his service game (third) only once before losing the set and the match.

Mankad had a relatively easy time against Panja. The Bengal boy failed to get his usual rhythm and was never allowed to settle down.