Knowle and Melzer edge out Rosco and Kerr in Tokyo final
Austrians take Japan Open title in match tie-break…
Ross Hutchins and Jordan Kerr have been beaten in the final of the Japan Open, losing 6-2 5-7 10-8 to Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer.
The Anglo-Aussie duo were edged out of a maiden title together by the Austrian pair, who won all four matches in match tiebreaks this week.
In a featuring featuring five breaks of serve, Knowle and Melzer converted three of their eight break chances, and struck eight aces on their way to victory in just over an hour and a half.
It was the second title of the season for the Austrian pair, who are still in with a chance of qualifying for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.
“It’s always great to play and win with Julian as we are such great friends,” said Melzer. “It is so much fun to play in Tokyo with so many people coming to watch.”
For Hutchins and Kerr, playing together for just the third time, their appearance in the Tokyo final has earned them 300 ranking points.
‘It feels great to be in my first final of 2009, especially with it being a big event here in Asia,” said Hutchins. I love playing out here and my form has been good the past month after a tough middle of the year.
“Even after some disappointing results earlier in the year, I stayed positive and knew that good results would come.
“I’m very pleased so far this week,” added the British doubles No.1. “Now there’s one more to go!”
