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| 18 Mar 2002 | |
| Day Seven - Sunday 17 March 2002 |
Sunday was not a good day for top seeds in the Banana Bowl as both fell to lesser ranked opponents in the final.
Marcos Baghdatis (CYR) went into the final with the mental edge on World No. 1 Brian Dabul, having knocked Dabul out of the 2001 Wimbledon 1st round in a three set struggle that ended 9-7 in the third set. Their battle for the Banana Bowl title proved to be another classic encounter. Only a tie-break could separate the players in the first set, which went to Baghdatis. Dabul secured a vital break in the second to level the match and the third went again to a tie-break, Baghdatis emerging the victor. For the second consecutive year Dabul has missed out on this title, losing in the 2001 final to eventual World Junior Champion Gilles Muller (LUX). This is Baghdatis' second Grade A title having taken Osaka Mayor's Cup in Japan in October 2001. In this week's rankings Baghdatis will overtake Lamine Ouahab(MAR) for the No. 4 position, Dabul will retain the top spot.
In the girls' final, the mental edge again proved crucial. Myriam Casanova had the confidence of knowing that she is the only player to have defeated Barbara Strycova (CZE) this year, at the Australian Hardcourt Championships in January. Making it two in a row Casanova overcame Strycova 63 75 to take her second consecutive title and third this year. This win, the biggest of her career so far, will push Casanova into the top 10 on the ITF Junior World Rankings for the first time. Strycova will receive some consolation on Monday when she will achieve No. 1 position in the Girls' Singles rankings, taking over from reigning World Junior Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova
The boys' doubles title went to the Portuguese pair, Frederico Gill and Leonardo Tavares who defeated Steve Darcis (BEL) and Brendan Evans (USA) 46 62 63.
The latest results can be found on , www.bananabowl.netPhotographs by Luiz Doro and Susan Mullane
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