Rusedski takes Indianapolis title

Rusedski secured his second ATP title of 2002

Greg Rusedski recovered from a set down to beat Spain's Felix Mantilla and win the RCA Championship in Indianapolis on Sunday.

The British number two, who had beaten world number one Lleyton Hewitt earlier in the tournament, dug deep to triumph 6-7 6-4 6-4.

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Rusedski, seeded 14th, lost the first set 8-6 in the tie-break, during which he threw his racket to the ground in protest at what he felt was a bad call.

This win is very good for my confidence

Greg Rusedski

But he recomposed himself to make decisive breaks of serve in the seventh game of each of the final sets to take his second ATP title of the year.

Mantilla had the chance to break back in the final set, going 40-0 up in the eighth game.

But the Briton averted the danger with an overhead smash and two volleys and then clinched the game with an ace to lead 5-3.

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Mantilla saved a match point on his own serve but Rusedski then served out to win the match, taking his 12th title with a down-the-line winner.

Rusedski said afterwards that the victory would give him a lot of confidence to take into the US Open, which begins at the end of the month.

He deserved to win it because of all the pressure he put on me

Felix Mantilla

"I'm excited about winning this trophy because this tournament has had great champions in the past," he said.

"Many of those have gone on to have great success at the US Open and I hope to do the same.

"This win is very good for my confidence.

"In the past two weeks I've won a tournament and beaten the top three players in the world, so I have to think that not too many people will want to see my name in the first round of the US Open."

Rusedski was a runner-up at the final Grand Slam of the year in 1997 when he lost to Pat Rafter.

Mantilla was generous in defeat, in particular praising Rusedski's serve, which had reached speeds of up to 132mph.

"He deserved to win it because of all the pressure he put on me," said the Spaniard.

"When he's serving huge, it makes it bad for you."

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RCA Championships final

Greg Rusedski (GB, 14) bt Felix Mantilla (Sp) 6-7 6-4 6-4