Tennis: Rusedski's class proves decisive

GREG RUSEDSKI raised his game in the final set to secure a 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 win over Nicolas Kiefer in the opening round of the ATP world indoor event in Rotterdam yesterday.

The British No 2 won the opening set on a tie-break but Kiefer, from Germany, rallied to take the second and level the match. Rusedski regained his composure in the final set, however, and outplayed Kiefer, a finalist in Dubai last week, to wrap up victory.

Rusedski held serve in the opening game of the final set before breaking Kiefer's serve - with a cross-court pass that clipped the net and landed on the line - to take a 2-0 lead. Kiefer fought back to force a break point on the Rusedski serve, but the British No 2 saved it with a well- hit smash under pressure and went on to take the game, consolidating the break.

Kiefer, who reached the final of last week's Dubai Open, then received courtside treatment for an injury to his left ankle which was heavily strapped before he was able to continue. The German held his serve for 3-1 and did so again in the sixth game, but Rusedski was still in control on his own serve as he moved into a 5-2 lead. Kiefer held for 5-3 before Rusedski sealed victory on his own service game.

In the first set play went with serve for the opening 10 games but Kiefer survived several close games on his serve before edging in to a 6-5 lead. Rusedski held to take the set to a tie-break, where he built a 3-0 lead. Kiefer bounced back to lead 5-4, but Rusedski kept his nerve and took the game 8-6.

After his efforts in the tie-break a complacent Rusedski lost his service in the first game of the second set. Kiefer took advantage and raced into a 5-2 lead before eventually winning the set. In the third, however, class Rusedski's superior class told.