Dubai: Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna won their first ATP World Tour together after defeating Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-4, 3-6, 10-5 in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The match that went down to the last set saw the fourth seeded Indians emerge victorious in a tough fought match.

Bhupathi and Bopanna joined hans at the beginning of the 2012 ATP World Tour season and came into Dubai having reached the semi-finals at the Aircel Chennai Open.

"It's my first ATP 500 title," said Bopanna, adding, "This is great, and obviously it's great to play with Mahesh.  All that 17 years of experience on court I think really helps in those close matches and these big moments. It's a good opportunity for me to play with him, alongside with him. I couldn't have asked for anything better than winning this title."

The Indian pairing broke decisively in the seventh game of the first set, and Bopanna served out the opener to 15. Fyrstenberg and Matkowski hit back immediately, though, breaking serve in the first game of the second set to level the match. In the deciding Match Tie-break, Bhupathi and Bopanna raced to a 6-2 lead, and triumphed as Bopanna hit a backhand return winner.

"It's amazing," said Bhupathi, reflecting on the strong crowd support he and Bopanna received. "It's even better than playing at home, because the stadium here is bigger than Chennai. For me, fortunately, it's my fifth final I think and it's always like this on Saturday. It's amazing, so many Indians."

By Indian Sports News