Japanese Yuichi Sugita lifts Pune ATP Challenger title

Pune: Japanese Yuichi Sugita lifted the singles title at the ATP Challenger tournament after scoring a close 6-7(1) 6-4 6-4 win Spaniard Adrain Melendez-Maceiras in the summit clash, here on Sunday.

144th ranked and fourth seed Sugita battled hard for two hours and 54 minutes before prevailing over sixth seed Adrain.

The finals which was postponed by a day due to unseasonal rains that hit Pune, turned out to be thriller with both players matching each other stroke for stroke.

"I'm very happy. I played well and kept many balls in playing this week. I had some good and narrow wins against Indian players. This title will help me to start the new year well said," said Sugita, who is also the Asian Games bronze medallist.

Adrain said,"I lost to a good player today. I had chances but could not finish."