Sela blames local fans for loss: They cursed and provoked me and I lost my concentration and the match.
By ALLON SINAIDudi Sela 298.88(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Dudi Sela and Noam Okun soared up the ATP rankings on Monday after excellent performances in the latest Challenger events.
Sela, who climbed 43 places to No. 153 in the world, lost late Sunday night in the final of the $125,000 Cordoba tournament to Spaniard Adrian Menendez (220) 6-4, 0-6, 7-5.
The 22-year-old Israeli led 5- 2 in the third set and had three match points, but squandered his chances and allowed Menendez to reel off five straight games to clinch the title.
Sela blamed the local fans for his loss: "They cursed and provoked me and I lost my concentration and the match," he said. "Whenever I attempted to serve they shouted and threw things on court. The crowd was a disgrace and they should be punished."
Okun, who jumped 27 places to No. 156, defeated South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-3 late Sunday night to win the $50,000 tournament at Winnetka , Illinois.
A single break of serve in each set secured the win for Okun, who held his serve throughout the match.
Also on Monday, Tzipi Obziler reached a new career best ranking, climbing to No. 75 in the new WTA rankings.
Shahar Pe'er fell two places to No. 18, with the retiring Anna Smashnova ending her career ranked 168th in the world.
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