Nika Basilashvili beat  Croatian Tony Androic in the final of Tbilisi international men tournament, at Georgian Sport and Youth Affair Cup, which prize money is 15 000 USD 2:1 (6:3, 4:6, 6:6, 7:1) and as a result won cup. “ It is remarkable that after Lado Chikhladze, Georgian veteran tennis player, Basilashvili is our second compatriot , who won Tbilisi men tennis tournament”- stated Leila Meskhi president of Georgian tennis federation.

Unfortunately, there are not held a lot of tennis tournament in Tbilisi. Tbilisi hosted low rank tournament, which prize money was 15 000 USD, but semi-final and final matches were very interesting. It can be said that there has not been held such tense final for a long time.

Basilashvili, who was seeded as No.3 beat Jiri Vesely in three sets (4:6, 6:4, 6:3). Androic also beat French Loran Rekouderk (6)) winner of Tbilisi international tournament, which finished a week ago with the same points (6:4, 4:6, 6:3).

As far we mentioned, final was rather tense. In the first set Basilashvili advanced and won it easily- 6:3. The second set also started with superiority of Georgian sportsman (2:0), but Croatian tennis player managed to equalize.  The third set ended with tie-break, where Georgian tennis player appeared to be stronger, who won 7:1 and became owner of the main prize.  Basilashvili was awarded with 1950 USD and others were awarded with 1350 USD. It worth mentioning that Basilashvili won 15 000 USD tournament the third times and played in one more final.
 

Roland Labuchidze
Photo by Khatia Jijeishvili