Dubai: Russia and Belgium were crowned champions at the end of the 22nd Tennis Nations Cup finals held at the Al Nasr Leisureland tennis courts late on Saturday.

The combined women’s team from Russia and Belarus made a memorable debut with a smooth 2-0 win over the Philippines. Belgium men, meanwhile, beat Philippines 2-1 to defend the title they had won five years back before the tournament was discontinued.

This annual tournament, held by the Al Nasr Leisureland, is among the oldest competitions for teams. The event is held on a Davis Cup format with each nation required to play two singles and a doubles against each other before choosing the best four sides to advance to the semi-finals.

Saturday’s two finals were equally engrossing with the Philippines ending on the losing side. In the men’s final, Kirk Rebuyas gave the Philippines the lead with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Dries Depla, only to see Jonas Merckx draw level with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of Michael Quinones. The deciding doubles went the distance with Depla and Kenneth Cavwenburgh getting the better of Rebuyas and Joseph Serra 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (4).

The women’s final was a straight-forward affair with Angelina Gardienko beating Maria Concepcion Bulilan 7-5, 6-0 and Katerina Kalpuk then fighting hard for a 6-7, 6-0, 1-0 (4) win against a gutsy Maria Antonia Bulilan, who had to take a medical time-out to treat cramps.

“This was the best preparation I could have had before my departure to Egypt for a $10,000 (Dh36,700) Futures tournament. This has been a great tournament and I hope to be back next year too,” Belgium’s outstation player Jonas Merckx told Gulf News.

“I think we could have taken the doubles quite comfortably when we had the early break at 3-2, but then they came right back using their superior experience in playing the crucial points,” Filipino player Rebuyas added.

Sarah Baker, General Secretary, Tennis Emirates (TE) was joined by Nasser Al Marzouki, Board Member, TE, Slah Bramly, Technical Director, TE and CT Matthew and Anjum Zia from organisers Al Nasr Leisureland for presentation of trophies.

RESULTS

(Women) Russia/Belarus def. Philippines 2-0 (Angelina Gardienko bt Maria Concepcion Bulilan 7-5, 6-0; Katerina Kalpuk bt Maria Antonia Bulilan 6-7, 6-0, 1-0 (4).

(Men) Belgium def. Philippines 2-1 (Dries Depla lost to Kirk Rebuyas 4-6, 2-6; Jonas Merckx bt Michael Quinones 6-1, 6-0; Depla/Kenneth Cavwenburgh bt Rebuyas/Joseph Serra 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (4).