Projo Sports Blog

Fabrice Santoro of France defended his singles title in the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships today with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over unheralded Prakash Amritraj of India.

Santoro, 35, is the oldest champion in the 32-year history of the tournament and the fourth 35-year-old to win on the ATP tour since 1990. He is also the third player to win consecutive titles. Bryan Shelton won in 1991-92 and Greg Rusedski in 2004-05. Amritraj's father, Vijay, is the other multiple champion. He won in 1980 and 1984 and was in the stands yesterday.

Santoro has contemplated retiring after this year but told the crowd of about 3,000 at the Newport Casino that he will return in 2009.

Ranked No. 57, Santoro won with two service breaks in the first set and one in the second. In the 11th game of the second set Amritraj, ranked No. 305, douuble faulted at 30-30. On the next point Santoro hit a perfect lob deep to the ad court. Amritaj caught up with the ball and hit a return, but Santoro volleyed into the open court for the break. He served a love game in the 12th for the sixth title of his career,

Santoro collecetd $64,000 for his triumph. Amritraj, playing his first final on the ATP circuit, left with $34,000.

 Tags  Fabrice Santoro Newport Tennis Prakash Amritraj

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