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Sharan-Prakash triumph in Osaka

October 11, 2003 18:47 IST

Divij Sharan and Arun Prakash clinched the doubles title in the ITF Grade A tennis tournament in Osaka, Japan [ Images ] on Saturday.

The Indian duo upset top seeds Lachlan Fergusson of Australia [ Images ] and Todd Joel Kerley of USA 7-6(7/4), 7-6 (7/5) after a tough fight.

The last Indian duo to reach the final of a Grade A tennis event was Mahesh Bhupathi [ Images ] and Nitin Kirtane, who reached the Junior Wimbledon [ Images ] doubles final in 1992.

But in the boys' singles final, fourth seed Karan Rastogi [ Images ] lost to Australian Open [ Images ] junior champion Marcos Bhagdatis of Cyprus.

After losing the first set to Bhagdatis 5-7, Rastogi came back brilliantly, winning the second 7-6(7/4). But her faded away in the decider, losing 1-6.

"He raised his game so well that I didn't have an answer for that. I am happy that I played well today and this tournament has been a good experience for me," Rastogi said.

Rastogi is the first Indian after Leander Paes [ Images ] to make it to the final four in a Grade 'A' event.

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