Evans quells Bulilan challenge for ESS title

Andrew Evans brushed aside Neil Bulilan in three sets (6-7, 6-1, 6-2) to successfully defend his title in the men's singles of the Second Emirates Sports Stores (ESS) Open tennis tournament held at the Wafi Mall tennis courts on Monday.

Evans had won the title last year with a swift victory against Bart Engel in the final of the inaugural event.

Evans did not have it easy in the opening stages of the final this year as he trailed Bulilan 0-5 in the first set.

But the British player fought back and levelled 5-5, only to see Bulilan play some fine ground-strokes to eventually win the set 7-6 with the tie-break going in his favour 15-14.

From then on, it was Evans all the way as he powered himself to an easy 6-1, 6-2 triumph in the next two sets to pocket the title.

Earlier in the semifinals, Evans had set aside a challenge from the UAE's Mahmoud Nader 7-5, 7-5, while Bulilan had breezed past Eddie Gayon 6-1, 6-2.

The Veterans title was also settled on Monday night with Adil Toubia playing a consistent game to win in three sets 6-7, 6-0, 7-5.

The finals of the other categories have already been held, except for the mens doubles which was to be played late last night.

The prize distribution is scheduled at a later date.

Results:

Boy's under-10: Winner: Yuvraj Kumar; Runner-up: Rashed Bushaqer.
Boy's under-12: Winner: Khaled Al Hassani; Runner-up: Faisal Bastaki 6-1, 7-5.
Girls under-14: Winner: Kathryn Azavedo; Runner-up: Mekhala M. Benny.
Boy's under-14: Winner: Taras Kopach; Runner-up: James Harvey.
Mixed doubles: Winners: Tariq Khan/Katherina; Runners-up: Eric Gottschalk.
Boy's doubles under-16: Winner: Mark Silva/Remy Bouyer; Runners-up: Saeed Al Marri/Salim.
Ladies singles: Winner: Enka Zacharova; Runner-up: Janice Tillbrook.
Men's singles Final: Andrew Evans bt Neil Bulilan 6-1, 6-2.
Men's doubles semifinal: Andrew Evans/Eric Gottschalk bt Ajay Kumar/Sivan 6-0, 6-1; Jean Francois Danican/Yvan Jacqueline bt Hisham Bramly/Neil Bulilan 6-0, 7-5.