Amritraj cousins win in Futures Tennis first-round

Chandigarh, May 29 (UNI) Amritraj cousins -- Prakash and Stephen -- recorded their first-round victories in contrasting styles in the 10,000 dollars SAIL ITF Men's Futures Tennis Tournament at the CLTA Stadium here today.

Serving powerfully and executing strokes with precision, Prakash took just 53 minutes to dispose of the challenge of qualifer Johnathan Kinsella of Britain in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 on the Centre Court.

After sharing the first two games in the first set, Prakash stole the limelight by winning the next five games in a row to claim the set at 6-1.

In the second set, he raced to a commanding 4-0 lead before Jonathan opened his account by winning his serve game to make it 1-4 after new balls were taken. He won the set at 6-2. He fired seven aces, Jonathan had six aces to his credit.

In contrast, Stephen Amritraj, down by one set, staged a magnificent rally for a 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 hard-fought win against Andrew Fitzpatrick in two hours and nine minutes on Centre Court No 2. It was an action-packed first-round match. After losing the first set, Stephen staged smart rally to down his opponent from Britain by 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Stephen Amritraj fired 15 aces while Andrew got five to his credit.

The first set saw the score moving with the serve till 4-all.

Stephen then committed two double faults to be broken and trailed 4-5. Andrew then held his serve to win the set at 6-4.

In the second set, Andrew led 2-0 after breaking Stephen in the first game. he lost concentration in the 10th game as he committed two double faults and that was the turning point for Stepehen who levelled the score at five-all. Tied at six-all, Stephen won the set in tie-breaker at 7-6 (7-4).

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