Tennis: Ram takes title with substitute partner Mirnyi

With Erlich sidelined, Andy teams up with former doubles world No. 1 to win in Vienna.

By ALLON SINAI
andy ram great 298.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
andy ram great 298.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Andy Ram claimed his 14th career doubles title on Sunday, teaming-up with Max Mirnyi to defeat Phillip Petzschner and Alexander Peya 6-1, 7-5 in the final of the BA Tennis Trophy in Vienna. This week's tournament was the first in five years in which Ram wasn't playing alongside Yoni Erlich, with whom he won the last 12 of his doubles titles. Erlich's elbow injury has sidelined him for the last few weeks and Ram chose to play with Mirnyi, a former doubles world No. 1, instead of resting alongside Erlich in Israel, a decision which has clearly paid off. "I'm feeling mixed emotions after winning this title," Ram said. "I experienced a superb week, but it's a pity I couldn't do so with Yoni by my side. I connected very well with Mirnyi, who in my opinion is one of the greatest doubles players of all time. "I learned many things from him this week which I will take with me for the rest of my career. It's great to win a title again." Petzschner had a busy day, having only a few hours to rest after winning the singles title in the morning. Ram lifted his last trophy with Erlich at the ATP Masters Series tournament in Indian Wells in March and, of course, also claimed the Australian Open in January. They will look to defend their title together this January. Mirnyi secured his second doubles title of the year and 35th of his career. Despite their success, Ram and Mirnyi will not be playing together in the Madrid Masters this week. The Belarusian had already previously agreed to team-up with Tommy Robredo in Spain, leaving Ram to try his luck with Russia's Mikhail Youzhny. In the singles draw in Vienna earlier Sunday, Petzschner upset Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4 to win the BA Tennis Trophy and his first ATP Tour title. The 125th-ranked German had never been beyond the quarterfinals of an ATP event before. He had to play two qualifying rounds to enter the main draw and became only the third qualifier this season to win a tournament on the ATP circuit. "This is unbelievable. I can't describe my feelings now," Petzschner said. "I will enter the top 100, which makes a dream come true." The 24-year-old Petzschner played his opening qualifying match last week less than three hours after getting off the plane from a flight from Tokyo. He went on to beat players including top-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka, former No. 1 Carlos Moya and 2004 champion Feliciano Lopez. "This has been an incredible week for me, everything went perfect," Petzschner said. The eighth-seeded Monfils has now lost five of his six career finals having won in Sopot, Poland, in 2005. "I am disappointed but I had a good week anyway," said the 28th-ranked Frenchman, who had beaten Petzschner in straight sets in their only previous match last month. "Philipp was the better player today. He just was more aggressive, so well done to him." Monfils, who reached the semifinals at Roland Garros last June, will now enter the ATP top 20 for his highest ranking ever.