Yuki wins Central Bank ITF tournament

Birthday boy Yuki Bhambri overcame a second set fightback from Rohan Gajjar 6-2, 7-6 (6) to clinch the Central Bank $15,000 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures at the DLTA complex here Saturday.

With the win, Yuki extended his record over sixth-seeded Gajjar to 3-0. He had earlier beaten him in straight sets during his two ITF wins here in April-May.

Yuki has thus lined himself for another set of back-to-back ITF titles with the second one starting Monday.

The Delhi youngster, who turned 17 Saturday, was not as sharp as he had been throughout the tournament, but made up with some solid strokeplay to get past Gajjar. Fourth-seeded Yuki struggled with his first serve in the one hour and 22 minutes match.

The junior Australian Open champion, however, benefited from Gajjar's stream of unforced errors, breaking him in the first and the third games of the match for a 3-0 lead. But a lapse in concentration saw Yuki drop his serve at love immediately to hand Gajjar, a junior national champion, his first game.

Both players continuously attacked each other's backhand flank, but it was Yuki who broke Gajjar's serve once again for a 5-2 lead before serving out the set.

A double fault from Gajjar followed by a misfired backhand in the third game of the second set gave Yuki a 2-1 lead which he further consolidated by holding his serve in the next game.

But a double fault and a miscued backhand volley from Yuki in the sixth game allowed Gajjar to even out the break. The two held onto their serves from there on and the set went into the tie-breaker. A double fault from Gajjar at 6-6 gave Yuki his second matchpoint, which he converted when the 24-year-old's forehand kissed the net.

Yuki admitted their were lapses in his performance.

"There were some slips today. But I am happy that I was able to keep up with him throughout the match," said Yuki, who earned $1,950 and 25 ATP points with the title.

"It is always a good feeling to win a tournament. I have always enjoyed playing at home. There are so many people cheering for me.

"May be next year I will celebrate my birthday with a win in a Challenger."

Last updated on Jul 4^th, 2009 at 17:34 pm IST--IANS