Paes-Damm falls short of second successive Ordina Open glory

's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, June 24 (UNI) Top seeds Leander Paes and his Czech partner Martin Damm failed to carry on with their ruthless form, losing 6-3, 6-7 (5), 10-12 to third seeded Protea-Dutch pair of Jeff Coetzee and Rogier Wassen in the finals of the Ordina Open here.

Starting on a high note, the defending champions let go a one-set advantage, while Coetzee and Wassen saved two match points in the one hour 27 minute.

The highly seeded Indo-Czech pair clinched the opening set easily, hitting 29 winners and nine aces.

But the Protea-Dutch pair came back with all guns blazing in the second set to take the match into the super tie-breaker.

In the super tie-breaker both the pairs were in no mood to give an inch to their rivals as they matched each other volley after volley. But eventually, Paes and Damm succumed to pressure as Coetzee and Wassen held their nerves to seal the match and the their their second ATP title of the season.

However, the number one seeds were solid with their serve as they registered 20 aces and never faced a break in the match, but poor break point conversion eventually sealed their fate.

The defending champions broke the third seeds only once out of the eight chances.

The Indo-Czech pair have so far won two of the three ATP finals this year -- first in Rotterdam and then the ATP Masters Series Indian Wells.

UNI