Tennis: Ram nets another

Teams-up with Michael Llodra to defeat Stephen Huss and Ross Hutchins 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 in the final of the Lyon Grand Prix.

By ALLON SINAI
andy ram 224.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger [file])
andy ram 224.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger [file])
Despite Yoni Erlich's absence, Andy Ram claimed his second title in three weeks on Sunday, teaming-up with Michael Llodra to defeat Stephen Huss and Ross Hutchins 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 in the final of the Lyon Grand Prix. Ram and Llodra, who were seeded second in Lyon, won 50 of 66 points on their serve and lifted the title in their first tournament together. "Last time I played with Mica [Llodra] was 10 years ago in the Wimbledon juniors final," said Ram, who also won in Vienna with Max Mirnyi two weeks ago. "It feels great to win this title together with him here in Lyon. He's one of my best friends on tour and we had great fun here this week. "It is already my third title in Lyon [he won with Erlich in 2003 and 2004]. It's always a pleasure to play here." The 28-year-old Llodra, who usually plays with Arnaud Clement, lost to Ram and Erlich in the Australian Open final earlier this year, but beat the Israelis at the Beijing Olympics. "I'm very happy to win this title together with Andy," said Llodra. "Winning with him in Lyon makes it even more special since this place means a lot to me. I usually play with French partners, most of the time with Arnaud Clement, and I'm happy that I won this title together with my friend Andy." Erlich is facing a race against time to be fit for the season ending Masters Cup in Shanghai in two weeks, for which only the world's top eight doubles teams qualify. In the meantime, Ram will continue to play with other partners, with Brazilian Bruno Soares to join forces with the red-hot Israeli at this week's Masters Series tournament in Paris. In other tennis action Sunday, Roger Federer won his hometown tournament for the third straight year, beating second-seeded David Nalbandian 6-3, 6-4 in the Swiss Indoors final in Basel, Switzerland. Elsewhere, Brit Andy Murray beat Andrey Golubev 6-1, 6-1 to win the St. Petersburg Open for the second straight year.