DEFENDING champion Aisam Qureshi of Pakistan and partner Jean-Julien Rojer of Netherlands stamped their class on surprise finalists Treat Huey of the Philippines and American Scotty Lipsky, 6-3, 6-4, Sunday to claim the men’s doubles trophy of the Gerry Weber Open tennis championships in Halle, Germany.
Qureshi, who won the event last year with Indian partner Rohan Bopanna, showed his class in the grass court event that serves as tuneup for the Wimbledon slated next week.
Despite the loss, Huey is expected to climb in the world rankings from his present 39th spot. The 26-year-old lefty is expected to also see action in Wimbledon with a new partner.
Huey and Lipsky nipped Germany’s Michael Kohlmann and Florian Mayer, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, Saturday to reach the men’s doubles finals.
They also stunned second seeds Franticek Cermak of Czech Republic and Julian Knowle of Austria, 6-3, 5-7, 10-6, in the quarterfinals.
Kohlmann and Mayer rolled to the semifinals after Rafael Nadal skipped the doubles in tandem with Marcelo Granollers. Nadal, though, lost to defending champion Philipp Kohlschreiber (6-3, 6-4) in the quarterfinals.
Tommy Haas shocked Roger Federer, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, to claim the men’s singles crown. He also won in 1995. Marc Anthony Reyes