Jeevan ends runner-up at ITF Futures

Chennai: National champion Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan had to be content with a runner-up finish after losing the fiercely fought final against top seed Victor Crivoi in the ITF men`s Futures event, here on Saturday.

Jeevan fought his heart out before losing 6-7 (3) 5-7 in the men`s singles summit clash. The Indian fought tooth and nail in first set but the Romanian prevailed in the tie breaker as he returned aggressively and consistently on both the flanks. It could not have been a better start to the second set for Jeevn as he broke Victor in the very first game but only to let go the advantage in the next game. He again broke Victor in the third game and held his own for a 3-1 lead. The Indian had two breakpoints in the fifth game also but Victor regained his composure and started serving well to hold. It was in the 8th game that Jeevan despite serving 2 aces was broken and the scores were level 4-4. At 5 all, Victor comfortably held serve at 40-15, serving 3 aces to lead 6-5. In a long drawn 12th game, Victor showed relied on his experience as he converted his sixth match point after playing seven deuces to lift the title. PTI