Pune: Gilles Simon partnering Pierre-Hugues Herbert defeated Yuki Bhambri and Divij Sharan 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) to enter the final of the ATP 250 Series Tata Open Maharashtra at Balewadi Sports Complex on Friday.
The French duo will meet Dutch pair of Robin Hasse and Matwe Middelkoop in the final who defeated Roman Jebavy and Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic 6-2, 6-4 in the first semi-final.
With this win Simon set up himself for double title as he will face Kevin Anderson in the Singles final.
Pair of Gilles Simon and Pierre-Hugues Herbert hit seven aces to keep things under control whereas Indian pair came good in patches but five double faults and unforced errors allowed Simon and Herbert to surge ahead.
In form pair of Herbert and Simon started on bright note taking 3-0 lead breaking Indian pair in the second and holding their serve in first and third set.
Indian pair brought their act together in the fourth game to open their account after that both the pairs hold their serves in the next couple of games.
Bhambri and Sharan got in groove breaking opponent in the seventh game and holding their serve in ninth to make it 4-all.
In the next two games, Indians pair played few good shots and also teased opponent with long rallies but unforced errors allowed French pair to take the first set 6-4.
Indian pair looked more settled in the second set as they did not allowed easy points to French duo.
Match progressed with both the pairs holding their serves to make it 5-all. Indians had a chance to break French pair but triple break point allowed Herbert and Simon to move ahead with 6-5 score line. Indians hold their serve
in next to force set into tie breaker where they failed match up energy of Herbert and Simon and bowed out of tournament with a score
of 7-6 (7-2)
Hasse-Middelkoop advance
Earlier, Second seeded pair of Robin Hasse and Matwe Middelkoop from The Netherlands was flawless as they ensured place in the doubles final in just 60 minutes defeating Czech Republic pair of Roman Jebavy and Jiri Vesely 6-2, 6-4.
In the first semi-final played at the Court 1, The Netherlands pair keep things tight right from the start and tried to put pressure on Czech Republic pair.
Jebavy and Vesely who were struggling to find rhythm committed two double faults which allowed Hasse and Millelkoop to wrap up the first set 6-2.
The Netherlands pair saved five breakpoints in the first set whereas Czech Republic pair only managed to save one.
In the second set, Jebavy and Vesely came out with a much improved performance saving five break points out of seven but it did not made much impact as Hasse and Middlekoop hit three aces and also saved crucial points to race ahead with a 6-4 victory.
