Seniors tennis finals sees fierce rivalry

Dubai: Russian E. Kultygin, Austrian D. Krizek and Frenchman P. Hernandez were all lined up towards a double at the end of the ITF Dubai Seniors Tennis Championships being held at the Aviation Club.

Kultygin was eyeing the singles and the doubles titles in the men's over-40 category. However, he will have to settle scores with Hernandez, who has also shown strong form.

Kultygin will team up with F. Pelegry in the doubles final against C. Dlouhy and G.A. Silvestri in the men's over-45 final. Hernandez will be eager to add the mixed doubles crown in the same age category as he teams up with T. Dupin in their final encounter against A. Somoff and I. Tahan.

Austria's Krizek lines up against the UK's Gerard Howe for the men's over-35 singles title. Krizek will be aiming to make it a double when he teams up with P. Anders against F. Chams and D. Costin in the men's over-35 doubles. Paul Drane, 78, the oldest competitor in this tournament was also headed for some silverware as he teams up with N. Vittali against A. Hariri and K. Eisa in the men's doubles final.