Consistent Marinne claims second ITF title in a row

Mumbai, May 26 (UNI) Fourth seed Marinne Giraud of Mauritius continued her impressive run in the year 2007, wining the USD 10,000 dollars MSLTA-ITF Women's Circuit Tennis Tournament, defeating the listless top seed Rushmi Chakravarthi 7-6, 6-2 at the G A Ranade Tennis Complex here today.

Playing with a slight niggle in her thigh, Marinne did not have the best of starts to the proceedings. Tired and weary with the week long proceedings, a few loose shots saw her dropping her serve in the very first game. Rushmi backed it up to hold her own serve and take an early lead. The consistency returned to Marinne's game as she held her serve to love to get onto the board. The rallies got longer as the match progressed as Marinne meticulously set up her points and hit winners just when she knew the time was right.

Her kicking second serve made it difficult for Rushmi to capitalize on as the 29-year-old was tested all round. Rushmi served at 3-2 looking to hold her serve but the pressure got to her.

Despite saving two break points she dropped her serve to enable Marinne level scores at 3-3. The match then was forced into a tie breaker as both players held serve well. Rushmi could hold serve just once in the tie break as Marinne sailed into the lead taking the tie break 7-1.

The second set saw Rushmi finding it difficult to hold her serve as Marinne consistently kept the ball in play. Rushmi also had some trouble with her smashes as the lobs unsettled the Indian, resulting in the ball going into the net. Rushmi found it increasingly difficult to hold her serve but still kept pace with Marinne at 2-2 in the second set. Resorting to some attacking shots of her own, Marinne caused havoc on Rushmi's serve and took the next four games serving out the match. The title gave Marinne her second in the city after having won the doubles on Friday along with Indian Isha Lakhani.

Marinne who was richer by 1,568 dollars and 6 WTA points said, ''I had to fight to win today. I knew I had to be consistent as she is a very aggressive player. I couldn't play my best as I am a little tired but I still managed to win.'' Marinne, who won the 25,000 dollars ITF Event in Trivandrum just last week ensured she took home two titles in as many weeks in India. Marinne also won the 10,000 dollars ITF event in Dubai.

Result: Singles (FINAL): 4-Marinne Giraud (MRI) bt 1-Rushmi Chakravarthi (IND) 7-6 (1), 6-2.

Doubles (FINAL): 3-Marinne Giraud (MRI)/ Isha Lakhani (IND) bt 2-Ankita&Sanaa Bhambri (IND) 6-4, 6-1.

UNI