TENNIS WORLD

Hanescu/Cerretani Win First ATP Doubles Title

Romanian Victor Hanescu and American James Cerretani (pictured) captured their first ATP doubles title with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Argentine Lukas Arnold Ker and Belgian Olivier Rochus on Sunday at the Austrian Open in Kitzbuhel.
Playing together for the second time, Cerretani and Hanescu broke the Arnold Ker serve twice in the first set to take it after 31 minutes. Arnold/Rochus looked to on course to level the match as they took a 4-2 lead in the second set, but Cerretani/Hanescu hit back by breaking Rochus' serve twice to wrap up their first team title after 1 hr., 18 min. The duo also reached the second round at Wimbledon (l. to Mirnyi/Murray) last month.
World No. 65 Cerretani had reached his maiden ATP doubles final in May at Casablanca with Todd Perry, where they finished runners-up to Albert Montanes and Santiago Ventura, and was contesting his second ATP final. Likewise, No. 179 Hanescu had finished runner-up with Andrei Pavel in his first ATP doubles final at 2005 Bucharest (l. to Acasuso/Prieto) and was contesting his second ATP final. Hanescu also captured his maiden ATP singles title last week at Gstaad.
"It's been a great period for me," said Hanescu. "I've played two unbelievable weeks, even the singles here in Kitzbuhel was a good result (l. to del Potro in SF). Of course I'm very excited about my first title in doubles, it's a great feeling, it's an ATP tournament so I'm really happy. I think we were more motivated and we really fought for this match."
Cerretani describes his first ATP doubles title as "bittersweet". He added: "I feel great. To do it with Victor too is very special, it's only our second event together but we've really come together as a team off the court and on the court, training, preparing etc. It's been a lot of fun, I've made a good friend and a good business partner aswell. We look forward to playing a lot in the future."
Playing together for the first time since 2005 Masters Series Hamburg, Arnold Ker and Rochus were bidding for their first team title. World No. 81 Ker was chasing his 16th ATP doubles title, while No. 149 Rochus was looking for his third title. Both had finished as runners-up in Kitzbuhel before; Arnold Ker in 2002 (w/ Corretja) and 2004 (w/ M. Garcia) and Rochus in 2005 with his brother Christophe.
Winners Cerretani/Hanescu now earn 250 Stanford ATP Doubles Ranking points towards their combined ranking and split €30,500, while runners-up Arnold Ker/Rochus receive 175 points and share €15,500.