Rohan Bopanna-Aisam Qureshi win maiden ATP doubles title

Rohan Bopanna and Aisam Qureshi today clinched their first ATP World Tour doubles title after a hard-fought 2-6, 6-3, 10-5 victory over Karol Beck and Harold Levy in the final of $4,42,500 South African Open in Johannesburg.

Unseeded Bopanna and Qureshi finally won an ATP doubles title together in their third attempt, having finished runners-up in both the previous final appearances — in Mumbai (2007) and at Newport (2008).

The Indo-Pak duo had a dream run last year, winning three ATP Challenger events together, but were not able to clinch a Tour event.

For Bopanna, though, this is his second ATP doubles title after the LA Open triumph in 2008 partnering American Eric Butorac.

An elated Bopanna said, "Both of us are thrilled to have won this tournament. We had a great 2009 together, winning three ATP Challenger events, but were not able to clinch a Tour event. It's great to have begun this year on such a positive note by winning our first ATP World Tour trophy and we hope this is the first of many."

"I think it's a great achievement," Qureshi said.

"As a team we are really good and we can be in the top 10 definitely together. Today's win definitely proves it because the chips were really down and we were able to find the solution to get back."