Prajnesh loses final; Purav wins doubles title

Third seed Thomas Fabbiano of Italy managed to push ahead of seventh seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 in the final of the $150,000 Challenger tennis tournament in China on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Prajnesh, ranked 170 in the world, fired 10 aces and won 75 % points on his first serve. However, he failed to capitalise on his chances as ha managed to convert only one of 16 breakpoints that he forced.

The Italian also converted one of seven breakpoints, but had won the crucial first set in the tie-break.

The title was worth 110 ATP points and $21,600. Prajnesh collected 65 points and $12,720.

In the doubles final of the Challenger in Germany, top seeds Purav Raja in partnership with Antonio Sancic of Croatia, bounced back on losing the first set to beat second seeds Rameez Junaid and David Pel 10-5 in the super tie-break.

Interestingly, it was the second Challenger doubles title of the season for Purav Raja, who had won the Istanbul Challenger with Rameez Junaid.

The results:
$150,000 Challenger men, Ningbo, China
Singles (final): Thomas Fabbiano (Ita) bt Prajnesh Gunneswaran 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3.

€ 43,000 Challenger men, Ismaning, Germany
Doubles (final): Antonio Sancic (Cro) & Purav Raja bt Rameez Junaid (Aus) & David Pel (Ned) 5-7, 6-4, [10-5].