Dubai: Falak Properties fought with their backs against the wall to retain the men's title in the 12th Falak Holding Ramadan Tennis Cup held at the Al Nasr Club tennis courts.
After going in arrears following DG Com Nokia's Mohammad Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi's 6-2, 6-2 win against Hamad Abbas Al Janahi, Omar Behroozian levelled things with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Essam Jalali.
In the deciding doubles encounter, Behroozian and Al Janahi powered to a 6-1, 6-2 win against Mohammad Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi and Ali Sharif.
"I think the challenge is increasing each year. Maybe this is due to the presence of expatriate players in the teams. But we are proud to defend our title successfully with only UAE players," Behroozian told Gulf News.
Enjoying the game
Al Nuaimi, who has been rather erratic in his presence on the domestic circuit due to his academic pursuits, was also impressive with his straight sets win against UAE national team member Hamad Abbas Al Janahi.
"But I think I have done well for myself with just three weeks of practice. I don't want to be arrogant, but I think I am really enjoying my game at the moment," Al Nuaimi said.
Shaikh Hasher Maktoum, Dubai Director of Information and President of Tennis Emirates, was present at the final to give away the prizes in the presence of Abdul Rahman Falaknaz and Mansour Falaknaz from sponsors Falak Holding and Mohammad Al Merri of Tennis Emirates.
Meanwhile, the Falak Properties junior team of Faisal Bastaki, Rashid Bushaqar and Ahmad Mubarak representing Al Nasr 'A' got past the DG Com Nokia team of Khalid Al Hassani, Aleksa Ilic, Marwan Al Sadqi and Ammar Behroozian to win the boys under-16 competition.
The Dubai Sports City was placed second, while DG Com Nokia came in third.
In the under-12 competition, Al Nasr A topped with maximum six points, leaving Al Nasr B and Al Wasl in second and third places, respectively.