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Thursday, May 14, 2009

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Mark, Mahesh fall in Rome

 

By KELSIE JOHNSON ~ NG Sports Reporter ~ kelsie@nasguard.com:

Bahamian tennis professional player Mark Knowles and his Indian doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi were hoping to avenge their loss to Canadian Daniel Nestor and his partner Nenad Zimonjic, but they were unsuccessful in their bid at the International BNL D'Italia.

Saturday's loss marked the second time this year Knowles and Bhupathi fell to Nestor and Zimonjic. They lost a tough three-setter, 6-4, 6-7 (6) and 10-8. The first loss to Nestor and Zimonjic came last week at the Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell tennis tournament, when Nestor and his partner went on to win the title, 6-3 and 7-6 (9), over Knowles and Bhupathi in the final. Nestor is Knowles' former partner, a union which last for over a decade.

The International BNL D'Italia is the fourth ATP Masters Series event for Knowles and Bhupathi this year. They are yet to win a title together this year. In Saturday's match-up, the Bahamian/Indian duo served up three aces compared to nine for their opponents.

In the semifinal match which lasted almost two hours, Knowles and Bhupathi also committed four double faults while Nestor and Zimonjic had just one. Knowles and Bhupathi were 10-for-41 in return points won off first serves, and 18-for 37 in return points won off second serves. They won two of their three break point opportunities.

Knowles and Bhupathi recorded two wins at the tournament, their first coming in the second round over Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi, 7-6 (5), 2-6 and 10-3. In the quarterfinals, they got past Marcin Matkowski and Mariusz Fyrstenberg, 6-3 and 6-4. The Bahamian/Indian duo received a bye into the second round.

Knowles and Bhupathi will now bypass the BMW Open, Estoril Open and the Serbia Open, awaiting the start of the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open. This tournament is scheduled to start next Sunday in Madrid, Spain, and is the fourth ATP Masters series tournament of the year. The final

appearance in the Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell tennis tournament shot Knowles and Bhupathi up the ranking charts. The team is now slated third with 1,995 points. The leading team is Americans Bob and Mike Bryan with 4,295 points, and Nestor and Zimonjic sit in second with 2,390 points.

 

 
   
 
 

 
 
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