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Published 02 Dec, 2007 12:00am

Aisam wins ATP championship

LAHORE, Dec 1: Pakistan’s top tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq has added yet another feather to his cap by winning the $50,000 worth singles title in the ATP championship at the R.K. Khanna Complex in New Delhi, India.

Aisam defeated Jae Sung An of South Korea in the final by 7-5, 6-4.

Speaking later about the match and his opponent, a jubilant Aisam said, “I was up against a very tricky player today who had reached the final after defeating the second and seventh seeds … but I had a clear match plan, which worked very well for me and I am glad to have won a big challenger towards the end of the year. It has been a great year for me and my achievements in 2007 will help promote the game of tennis in my country, which is also my mission.”

In the first set, Aisam set up a break point in the very first service game but An saved it. However, he was later able to break An’s service in the 12th game to wrap up the first set with five aces in 55 minutes.

In the second set Aisam was soon up at 3-1 after which he never gave the Korean a chance and went on to seal victory for himself with a score of 6-4 in 40 minutes.

Aisam in all hit 10 aces.

On his own way to the final, Aisam had made short work of the eighth seed Adrian Cruciat and top seed Ivo Minar.

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