Israeli Duo Claim Title at Winston Salem Open

Written by: Staff on 28th August 2011

Israeli Duo Claim Title at Winston Salem Open

epa02069148 Israel's Andy Ram (R) and Jonathan Erlich (L) hit back the ball to Chile's Paul Capdeville and Jorge Aguilar during the Davis Cup doubles match in Coquimbo, Chile, on 07 March 2010. EPA/Ian Salas |

Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel won the doubles crown at the Winston Salem Open today against Christopher Kas of Germany and Alexander Peya of Austria 7-6 (2) 6-4.

This is Erlich and Ram’s 14^th career title win together and their second title win this year as a team. The pair also won the Eastbourne grass court tournament just before Wimbledon.

Today’s match was interrupted by rain twice and the two doubles teams had to play the final in front of almost empty stands. The first interruption was at 52 minutes into the match and Erlich and Ram were 6-2 up in the first set tiebreak. After the short break the players were back on court and the Israeli team raced ahead with a 3-0 lead in the second set. When they came back out again the German/Austrian team broke Ram’s serve. But it wasn’t enough and the Israelis won the second set and the title 6-4 in the second set.

“ It was a weird final, on and off and on and off. We had no clothes because all our clothes were n the laundry and had to play with dirty shirts in the end, it was funny! It was a great feeling in the end. It’s another title with Andy and I’m very happy about it. We gained confidence going into the US Open and hopefully we’ll get very fast where we want to be,” Erlich said.

Erlich and Ram will split the winner’s cheque of $30 650 and the runners up, Kas and Peya will receive $16 100.