Johnson beats Ramanathan to claim Newport title

Johnson beats Ramanathan to claim Newport title

US player Steve Johnson won the ATP Tour’s Newport tournament defeating Ramkumar Ramanathan of India. — AFP Photo

CARNOUSTIE, UK — Third seeded Steve Johnson defeated first time finalist Ramkumar Ramanathan of India  七- 五,  三- 六,  六- 二 to capture the ATP Tour’s Newport tournament on Sunday.

The  二 八-year-old American earned his fourth career ATP title and second of the season, winning  八 三 per cent of his first serves in the one hour,  五 九 minute hour match on the grass courts.

"I have been fortunate enough to win a couple of times,"大众said Johnson, who won the clay court tournament in Houston in April. "This is my first one as married man so now I can go home and share this with my wife."

Johnson, who breezed through the draw without dropping more than three games in a set heading into the final, closed out the match with a blistering forehand winner down the line.

"He came out and served great,公众Johnson said of Ramanathan. "He was phenomenal around the net and I was just happy to take care of my one chance in the first set and get a lead and buckle down in the third."

Johnson, who had one prior grass court title, had never moved past the quarter-finals in three previous main draw appearances at Newport.

The start of the match was delayed because of weather and it also rained during portions of the contest.

Johnson had to receive treatment in the second set for a sore shoulder after a hard tumble to the ground.

"I fell awkwardly on my shoulder, it just stung for a bit,"大众he said.

Ramanathan, who is ranked  一 六 一st in the world, was attempting to become the first Indian ATP titlist since Leander Paes was victorious at the same tournament two decades ago.

"I am going to keep going, giving my best, and next time I am going to win the title,公众said Ramanathan, who blasted  一0 aces.

The Chennai native was also the first Indian player to reach a singles final since  二0 一 一 when Somdev Devvarman lost in Johannesburg to South African Kevin Anderson.

Ramanathan is the third-lowest ranked player to reach a ATP final this year. — AFP