Ram Wins Singles, Doubles at ATP Newport Tennis
Posted on July 12, 2009American Rajeev Ram, who only got into the singles draw as a lucky loser when Mardy Fish pulled out, won the singles and doubles titles on Sunday on grass at Newport.
The No. 181-ranked Ram defeated No. 3 seed Sam Querrey 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3 in the final of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, then won the doubles title alongside Australian partner Jordan Kerr.
"This is the biggest moment of my career and I will enjoy it and keep working hard," said the 25-year-old Ram, appearing in his first ATP final. "These days don't come around too often and when you get to this stage you hope to take advantage of the opportunity. Even though Sam was the favorite there's pressure on both players because it's the final."
Tellingly it was the first all-American final on the ATP World Tour since New Haven in August 2007. Ram had not won a tour-level match this season prior to Newport.
Ram broke Querrey twice in the third set en route to the title.
"I wasn't serving as well as I did in my last four matches and he played well, credit to him," said Querrey. "I was lucky to win the first set and he played the big points well. He started putting pressure on me in the third set and he did a good job. I thought I was playing all right but he served well in the third set."
In the doubles final Ram teamed up with Kerr to defeat Michael Kohlmann and Rogier Wassen 6-7(6), 7-6(7), 10-6.
Ram played eight matches over the last three days of the tournament due to rain.
The No. 181-ranked Ram defeated No. 3 seed Sam Querrey 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3 in the final of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, then won the doubles title alongside Australian partner Jordan Kerr.
"This is the biggest moment of my career and I will enjoy it and keep working hard," said the 25-year-old Ram, appearing in his first ATP final. "These days don't come around too often and when you get to this stage you hope to take advantage of the opportunity. Even though Sam was the favorite there's pressure on both players because it's the final."
Tellingly it was the first all-American final on the ATP World Tour since New Haven in August 2007. Ram had not won a tour-level match this season prior to Newport.
Ram broke Querrey twice in the third set en route to the title.
"I wasn't serving as well as I did in my last four matches and he played well, credit to him," said Querrey. "I was lucky to win the first set and he played the big points well. He started putting pressure on me in the third set and he did a good job. I thought I was playing all right but he served well in the third set."
In the doubles final Ram teamed up with Kerr to defeat Michael Kohlmann and Rogier Wassen 6-7(6), 7-6(7), 10-6.
Ram played eight matches over the last three days of the tournament due to rain.