Tabara claims Indian crown

A weary Michal Tabara was delighted with his victory

M Tabara (Cze) bt A Stoliarov (Rus) 6-2, 7-6 (7/4)

Unseeded Michal Tabara of the Czech Republic beat Russian Andrei Stoliarov to clinch the ATP Indian Open on Sunday for his first win on the professional circuit.

The 21-year-old Czech saw off the challenge from Stoliarov 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in an hour and 24 minutes to take home the winner's cheque of $54,000.

The opening set took 29 minutes, with Tabara running away with the last five games.

The Russian played far more confidently in the second and applied increasing pressure on Tabara.

A weary duo

Stoliarov broke his opponent in the second game but immediately broke back.

The Russian had his chances to get back on level terms - he had a break point in the sixth game and a set point when Tabara double-faulted at 0-30, 5-6 down.

I used to dream of winning an ATP Tour event

  Michal Tabara

He also had the advantage in the early stages of the tie-break but failed to convert them all these opportunities handing Tabara victory.

"When I was younger, I used to dream of winning an ATP Tour event. That has now come true," an ecstatic Tabara said.

He also acknowledged his win could mean added pressure because of his many fans in his homeland.

"There has always been pressure ever since I was a junior," he added.

"I think it was time that I did it. But the general public is difficult and it is very hard to grow up," he said.

"I was tired and if it had gone to three sets, it would have been very tough on me."

Stoliarov also said weariness had made a difference to his game.

"During practice before the match, I felt I wouldn't be able to play," the Russian said.

"I was so tired. Then I came onto court and played, but there were many times I would have liked to move and I couldn't. My body gave up on me."

Zimbabwe delight

Meanwhile, in the doubles final, top seeds Byron and Wayne Black of Zimbabwe overcame the battling efforts of the wildcard British-Italian combination of Barry Cowan and Mose Navarra.

The Blacks comfortably won 6-3 6-4, but the defeated pair had performed marvels in the tournament.

They caused a huge upset in the semi-finals after knocking out local favourites, the former world number one pair Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.