Former Indian Davis Cupper Zeeshan Ali completed a double at the Shaikh Zayed Cup tennis tournament which concluded at Le Meridien Al Aqah late on Wednesday.
In the men's open doubles, Zeeshan teamed up with Chirayu Patel to battle past Neil Bulilan and Ilek Tabura in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
The former Indian player had been awarded the singles title earlier on after his opponent Bulilan failed to reach the venue on time.
"It was tough," Zeeshan Ali admitted after a gruelling two hours on court for the doubles.
The Indian pairing started off well getting a crucial break early on Tabura's serve for a 2-1 lead. There were no further breaks after that as Zeeshan Ali served out to win the opening set 6-4.
In the second set, the Indians once again managed an early break, this time on Bulilan's serve for a 3-2 lead.
But the Filipino pairing fought back and broke Patel's serve to draw level 3-3.
With things going their way, Bulilan and Tabura kept up the pressure and broke Patel yet again to win the set 6-4 to force the deciding third set.
"I thought we could have won the final in straight sets. But we have to consider that we have not been playing together enough of late," Zeeshan Ali stated.
That started showing in the third set as Patel's movements on court got a bit slow.
Zeeshan and Patel broke Bulilan and Tabura in the ninth game and were leading 30-15 when Patel fell with a strained calf muscle.
After seeking medical attention, he continued and had a second fall with cramps in the other leg. After managing to hang in there, Zeeshan sent down an ace to serve out the game, set and match.
"Despite the lack of practice together, I think we complemented each other well," Patel stated.
"I think we had a chance all along, even after we were one set down. But the match turned on its head after I was broken in the ninth game," Bulilan said.
Mohammad Saeed Al Danhani, Director of the Emiri Court in Fujairah, was the chief guest and gave away the prizes.
The event was sponsored by the Fujairah Free Zone.
Results:
Boy's Juniors: Abdullah Khalid Al Ali bt Ali Hassan Al Hashemi 7-6 (4), 6-3; Men's Plate: Jasem Al Qawadi bt Rokhis 9-3; Men's singles: Zeeshan Ali bt Neil Bulilan (walkover); Men's Doubles: Zeeshan Ali/Chirayu Patel bt Neil Bulilan/Ilek Tabura 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
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