Rupesh Roy-Donald falter at final hurdle

Melbourne, Jan 26 (UNI) Rupesh Roy and his Aussie partner Stephen Donald faltered at the last hurdle when the eighth seeds were upset by the unheralded pair of Briton Graeme Dyce and Harri Heliovaara of Finland in the final of the boys' doubles final at the Australian Open here today.

Roy-Donald were out played by the Finnish-British combine 2-6, 7-6 (4), 3-6 in a test of nerves that lasted well over two hours.

Standing within striking distance of creating history, the Indo-Aussie pair started on a poor note surrendering the first set without putting up a fight.

They regrouped well while their rival relaxed a bit and won the second set in tie-breaker to draw parity.

However, Roy-Donald's rekindled hopes were doused again, and in no time, as the big-serving Finn and Briton broke them twice to take the set and the championship.

It was tale of opportunities lost for the eighth seeds, who could convert only two of the 14 break points that came their way.

Dyce-Heliovaara were less obliging and converted six out of 18 break points which proved decisive in the end.

UNI