Contributed by Lin Kuek

SICC, Singapore, Monday, January 31, 2011 — 29-year-old and 197-ranked Dmitry Tursunov of Russia kept up his splendid run, serving out fifth seed Lukas Rosol from the Czech Republic to win the Singapore ATP Challenger 2011.

A former world No. 20 player in 2006, Dmitry returned from a severe left ankle injury in 2009 to finish in the top 200. He later underwent his third surgery in past two years in February 2010. This kept his rankings at around 197 (current) for the last couple of years. Tursunov, a Moscow native, clinched the Singapore ATP Challenger 2011 title by pulling a win over the 6ft 5 inch Rosol in two sets (6-4, 6-2) in just 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Tursunov showed his superiority with a 88% success rate on first-serves and just losing 11 points in the two sets that saw a filled stand at the Singapore Island Country Club, even on a rainy Monday morning. Rosol started well in the first set, but the wily Tursunov waited for his opportunities, striking in the 7th game to go up 4-3, and he never looked back after that. The only opportunity Rosol ever had on Tursunov’s serve was in the 2nd game, when he was up 40-30, but Tursunov held on strongly to his serve.

“Tursunov played really well today, his serves were powerful and aggressive. He is an impressive player. But I am still really happy to have made it to the final match, it is an honour to play here in Singapore,” said Rosol after the match.

“I’m happy to win a tough challenger like this after a long time. I’m happy with the way I played and am sure that this is the beginning for a good season ahead.” A thrilled Tursunov gave away all his extra wristbands to a crowd of fans who gathered to ask for his autograph and to congratulate him after the match. “I hope to come back to Singapore but not for the Challenger as I hope my rankings will be too high to qualify for the Challenger next year!” He jokingly added.

Tursunov won US$7200 and 90 points for his win, while Rosol walks away with 55 points and US$4240 for his efforts.