Alayli tastes success in Dubai with Zayed Cup win

Dubai: Morocco's Karim Alayli lifted the fifth Zayed Cup that finished at the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort tennis courts earlier this week.

In the final, Alayli overcame Australia's Troy Gillham, winning 6-4, 7-5 in an engrossing match to pick up the winners cheque of Dhs3,600 and 120 ranking points.

Gillham picked up prize money of Dhs1,800 and 80 ranking points.

Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamad Al Sharqi was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Patrick Antaki, general manager of Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, and tournament director Khalid Al Ali.

Alayli waltzed his way through an easy first set winning 6-4. But the Australian came back strongly till both players held serve at 5-5.

The Moroccan held serve one last time for a 6-5 lead and then broke in the crucial 12th game to take set and match 7-5.

In the East Coast Tennis Open, July Tabura from the Philippines won the top honours with a 6-2, 6-3 win over 15-year-old Abdullah Al Ali.

Abdullah however overcame his disappointment when he teamed up with Ilec Tabura to pick up the doubles title, with a 6-4, 7-5 win over younger brother Saoud Al Ali and July Tabura.

The veterans over-40s title went to Chris Wind with victory against Gabriel Ene.

The Zayed Cup was the third round of the 2008 UAE National Tennis Rankings Series.