Malisse claims first double in Chennai Open

Chennai, Jan 7 (UNI) Belgian Xavier Malisse partnering his fellow countryman, south paw Dick Norman, registered a record compiling a fine title double lifting the doubles title with a fine 7-6(4), 7-6(4) win over world no 2 Spaniard Rafael Nadal and his fellow countryman rookie Bartolome Salva- Vidal in the ATP Tour Chennai Open here today.

In the end it again boiled down to the cool-headed display by Malisse and Norman in the crunch situation whenever Nadal covered up for his debutant partner Vidal with fine volleying and his characteristic power-packed passing shots.

But as in the singles final yesterday, Nadal was not 100 per cent accurate.This was much to the disappointment of the centre court crowd many of whom stayed back to watch Nadal in the hope that he would carry home at least the doubles title.

But as Malisse hoped after his spectacular singles win against Austrian Stefan Koubek, he ovecame Nadal and repeated his semis win against the latter.

In both the sets of the 104- minute-long match decided on tie break, there was no service breaks.

Nadal and Vidal were down 2-3 after 2-2, but they forced a tie break levelling 6-6. However, they were erratic in the tie break to be down 2-5 and managed to force two more points before succumbing.

It was the same story in the second set .But this time, Malisse and Norman fought back till 6-6 and forced the tie break which they won levelling 4-4 after surrendering a 2-1 lead and down 3-4.

Malisse's ability to slam down an ace (3) on crunch points out of the five the winning pair served also made the difference Nadal and Vidal had just one ace each in the match.

UNI