Mankad, Udomchoke in final

Mankad, Udomchoke in final
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

New Delhi, June 29: Second-seeded Harsh Mankad celebrated his selection in the Indian team for the forthcoming Davis Cup tie against Sweden by downing Per Thornadtsson of Sweden 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 to set up a title clash with the Thai Danai Udomchoke in the ITF Satellite Masters tennis tournament here on Thursday.

Udomchoke, the top seed, beat Indian Sandeep Kirtane 6-1 6-4 in the second semifinal.

Mankad and Thornadtsson started well and held their serve till the first seven games before Thornadtsson broke Mankad to take a 5-3 lead. Mankad broke back and took the set in tie breaker.

The Mumbai lad was in his elements in the second set and needed just 30 minutes to wrap it up. Thornadtsson gave away his serve in the fourth game when he hit two double faults. He was so tired that he could hardly move. Mankad held his serve to take a formidable 4-1 lead and broke Thornadtsson in the sixth game.

The Kirtane-Udamchoke match was like one between an amateur and a professional. The third seed Kirtane, who made a lot of double faults, was no match for Udamchoke. Kirtane was almost a spectator on the court as Udamchoke won the set at 6-1.

Udamchoke proved too good for his opponecnt in the second set too and after long rallies broke kirtane in the ninth game and held onto his serve in the next to win the set 6-4.