Abu Dhabi: Last year's losing finalist and fourth seed Julian Maes of France gained sweet revenge over defending champion Mohammad Al Gareeb to win the Premier singles tennis title at the 10th Armed Forces Officers Club Ramadan Games.
In last night's final, Maes, ranked 428 in the world, scored a 6-1, 6-2 win to receive the glittering trophy and the Dh25,000 cheque from Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum, President of Tennis Emirates.
Maes was in total control over Al Gareeb, the Gulf's second seed and also the second seed here.
The Frenchman's decision not to play the doubles final also seemed to help as he had recovered from his energy-sapping semifinal win over top seed Karim Maamoun.
Maes raced to a 5-0 lead breaking Al Gareeb twice while getting a high percentage of first serves on target.
The Kuwaiti's only bright moment in the first set was when he won the sixth game at love but Maes wrapped up the set by holding his serve.
Al Gareeb did lift his game a bit early in the second set and the first four games were closely-contested affairs. However, after a series of deuces, Maes broke Al Gareeb in the third, held his serve in the fourth to inch closer to the title.
Matching his serve and volley game with some deft net play and delicate drops, Maes took the second set and title. "I am delighted as I had lost to him last year. I decided to attack and the move paid off," said the 25-year-old Seoul-born French citizen.
In snooker Mohammad Al Shehab moved into the last 16 with victories over Ali Husham (3-1) and Mubarak Al Owais (3-0).
Others who joined him in the last 16 were Yahya Suwaidi, Mathew Thomas, Ahmad Al Qubaisi and Mubarak Al Owais.
