Underlining its superior lineup, team Carlo Gavazzi of Jeddah Tennis Organization (JETO) completed a turn-around from 1-2 down, and subdued Elaf Group via a tough 3-2 verdict (8-3, 8-4, 6-8, 8-7, 8-1) to bag the B1 category diadem and Elaj Medical, another JETO entry, dethroned current titlist Saudia City Tennis Club in B2 category via a similar 3-2 win (5-8, 4-8, 8-4,8-1, 8-3) in the finals of the 1st Arabasco Tennis Challenge at the tennis courts of Albilad Hotel here. Behind by a mind-shattering 0-3 deficit in the second singles (fourth set), and 1-2 set overall in the match, Abdullah Abdullah of Carlo Gavazzi displayed nerves of steel and complimented a brilliant game plan with steady baseline game and consistent serves to conquer Dominic Dadal of Elaf Group in a strength-sapping tie-breaker (7-5), and extend the match at 2-2. Cool as cucumber, Abdullah held serve and slowly but surely pulled abreast at 3-games all, as Dominic failed to hold serve in the fourth canto. As his opponent bounced back on top at 4-5, Abdullah unleashed a 3-0 run for a comfortable 7-5, but Dominic changed tactics from a baseline game by approaching the net at times that produced winners leading to a 7-7 deadlock ending the regulation sets. In the heart-stopping tie-breaker, a determined Abdullah regrouped and countered with well-placed forehand passing shots that led to a convincing 7-2 triumph. An even exchange of excellent ground strokes dominated the third doubles and fifth decision set, but the Carlo Gavazzi tandem of Jun Miguel and Bong Tipon coordinated brilliantly against the Elaf Group duo of Gerry Alcantara and Loi Escabusa, and delivered the match clincher with an 8-1 score. Early in the match, confident Fadi and Francis Idjao placed Carlo Gavazzi upfront in the first set at 8-3 against Lito Dare and Alex Pena. But Elaf Group evened the match at 1-game all, as prized recruit Jay Quipot sustained a heavy forehand and backhand top spin game that wrecked the steady defensive stand of Dr. Hussein in the first singles at 8-4. Elaf Group took the driver's seat and set the kill at 2 sets to 1 going into the fourth set as the hard-hitting pair of Medz Mabang and George Bornales proved steadier in the homestretch against Tony Mirasol and Raymond Miguel in the second doubles at 8-6. Current B2 titlist Saudia City Tennis Club raced ahead 2-0 in the match, with Henry Siazon and John Peraren taming Rey Villaraza and Raymond Miguel 8-5, followed by an 8-4 stamping win by Roger Batac over Mustafa Amin in the first singles. The Elaj pair of Robert Gregorio and Dondon Alcantara downed Francis Balde and Rowell Cuasay 7-3. With their sight set first to extend the set to a tie-breaker, the stubborn SCTC pair inched closer at 4-7 to keep their flickering hopes alive, but the determined Elaf Medical pair took control in the next turn for the needed set at 8-4. With the hard-hitting Joel De Castro landing his powerful serves and heavy top spin forehands with deadly accuracy, Elaj Medical evened the match at 2-2, as Fred Cristino conceded at a one-sided 1-8 in the second singles, and fourth stage of the match. Riding on the momentum of the just won set, the Elaj Medical pair of Randy Martin and Tonton Pana, kept the pressure at steady pace with clear winners for the match and title clincher at 8-3 against the hapless SCTC pair of Efren Bulatao and Emil Dy. __
