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Somdev-Huey in final of Farmer's Classic

July 31, 2011 17:56 IST

Somdev Devvarman earned himself a good chance to win his first ever ATP title after reaching the doubles final of the Farmer's Classic along with Treat Conrad Huey with a hard fought three-set win over Israeli pair of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram.

The unseeded Indo-Philippine pair, who had shocked the top seeds earlier, edged past the fourth seed Israeli duo 7-6, (6) 6-7, (8) 10-4 after a close to two-hour battle in the semi-finals of the $619,50 tournament.

They next face third seed Mark Knowles Bahamas and Xavier Malisse of Belarus.

It is for the first time that Somdev has reached the final of an ATP doubles event. He has made two singles final so far. He reached final of Chennai Open, his home event, in 2009 and in Johannesburg early this year.

Somdev and Huey nosed ahead after a stiff first set but could not stop their opponents from stretching the match to Super Tie break.

However they prevailed over the Israelis, scoring points when it mattered most.

Somdev's singles campaign had earlier ended with a 4-6, 6-7 (7) first round defeat at the hands of Ryan Sweeting of the United States.

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