NZ’s Ajeet Rai Wins Wellington Men's Singles Final

NZ’s Ajeet Rai has won the Men’s Singles title at the World Tennis Tour in Wellington this morning. He defeated Australian qualifier Tai Sach 6-4, 6-2.

This is Rai’s third title in a week, after winning the doubles title yesterday, and the Wellington Open doubles title last weekend, both alongside Kiwi Isaac Becroft.

Despite a fairly straightforward scoreline, the first set was a tight battle. Remaining on serve for over half an hour, once Rai broke for a 4-2 lead, both players traded breaks of serve until it was back on serve at 5-4. Rai then broke to love to put the first set away after 56 minutes.

Rai ran away with the second set, going up 4-0 in less than 20 minutes. Despite a spirited comeback attempt by Sach, breaking Rai as he served for the title, Sach couldn't consolidate as Rai broke to love again, wrapping up the match in an hour & 25 minutes.

Rai’s run to the title was fairly straightforward, with all matches won in straight sets, except for a scare in the second round from Australian Casey Hoole, forcing Rai into a third set tiebreak for the match.

This title adds to Rai’s 2024 trophy tally, after winning two M25 level doubles tournaments in China, and one in Australia already.

Having won a trophy at both Tennis NZ Summer Series events so far, Rai will like his chances at the next event: The EVES Open - World Tennis Tour Tauranga which begins tomorrow, and then the Te Anau Invitational, scheduled for just after Christmas. The winner there will receive a wild card into the main draw at the ASB Classic.

Click here for more information on the Tennis NZ Summer Series.