James Watt and partner defeat Ajeet Rai and partner in Mildura

Kiwi James Watt and his Australian partner Matt Hulme have defeated fellow New Zealander Ajeet Rai and his Australian partner Joshua Charlton in the doubles final of the ITF tournament in Mildura, Victoria.

Watt and Hulme won a gripping final on Saturday that couldn’t have been tighter, as they came out on top in a 6-7(7) 7-6(1) 13-11 victory at the grass court tournament.

It is the third tournament Watt and Hulme have won together this year and second in Mildura. 

Watt lost 7-6 7-6 to Hulme in the first round of the singles earlier in the week, but once together they showed how strong a team they are, by taking this title.

Rai lost in the second round of the singles at the tournament, which was also the case for Alex Klintcharov. 

The three Kiwis are all scheduled to play at next week’s ITF tournament in Swan Hill, which is two and a half hours away from Mildura.