Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich fall in Chennai final

The Israeli duo all but lost the the first set after Paes and Tipsarevic took a 3-0 lead.

By ALLON SINAI
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich R 311 (photo credit: REUTERS )
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich R 311
(photo credit: REUTERS )
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich’s 27th doubles final together ended in disappointment on Sunday, with the Israelis losing 6-4, 6-4 to Leander Paes and Janko Tipsarevic in the final of the Chennai Open in India.
The Israeli duo all but lost the the first set after Paes and Tipsarevic took a 3-0 lead, with two breaks of serve, and the Indian/Serbian team served out the match after Ram was broken in the ninth game of the second set.
Despite failing to capture their 15th doubles title together, Ram and Erlich, who earned a check for $11,480 and 75 points, will be pleased with their performance in India ahead of the start to the Australian Open next week.
Meanwhile, a ruthless Andy Murray powered his way to a 6-1 6-3 win over injury-hampered Alexandr Dolgopolov to win the Brisbane International and take a timely shot of confidence ahead of the Aussie Open.
Murray won an enthralling quarterfinal in four sets over the Ukrainian at Melbourne Park last year, but the rematch at Pat Rafter Arena fell flat with a grimacing Dolgopolov dragging an injured right leg around the court.
“It’s my first week with my new team and it was good, I really enjoyed it and hopefully it’ll bring more success in future,” Murray said.
Murray’s 22nd ATP title was also his first Down Under and overseen by his new coach, eight-times Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl, who applauded from the stands.
Also Sunday, big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic edged out Tipsarevic 6-7 7-6 7-6 in a nerve-jangling Chennai Open final to win his second ATP title.
Raonic, ranked No. 31, got the better of Dudi Sela in the quarterfinals and needed three hours and 14 minutes to beat top seed Tipsarevic in the first meeting between the two players.
The 1.96 meter Raonic, who was named ATP’s newcomer of 2011, lost his first set in the tournament after surrendering the first set tiebreak 7-4.
But the fourth seed rallied back to win the next two sets to pocket $71,900.
Reuters contributed to this report