American Ram wins Hall of Fame title

ByReuters

Published 19/07/2015 at 21:05 GMT

American Rajeev Ram pulled off one of the biggest upsets of his career by battling past second seed Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5) 5-7 7-6(2) to clinch his second ATP World Tour title at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championship on Sunday.

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Six years after winning his first singles crown on the grass surface of Newport in Rhode Island, Ram followed up with another at the venue after fending off the towering Croat in a closely fought final lasting two hours 23 minutes.

The American stormed ahead 6-2 in the final set tiebreak before sealing victory on his first match point when Karlovic netted a backhand.

The 31-year-old Ram, who will climb from 161st to 86th when the new world rankings are issued on Monday, also booked a coveted spot at this year's U.S. Open with his triumph.

WTA Rome