Escude claims Qatar Masters title
DOHA, Qatar -- Frenchman Nicolas Escude capped his return from injury by beating Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 6-3 7-6 to win tennis' Qatar Masters.
Escude, who hadn't played competitively since suffering a hip injury at Wimbledon, collected his fourth career title in his sixth final appearance.
"I am extremely happy. I did not play for the last six months and now this title, it is unbelievable," said Escude.
"I had been in training for this tournament since November last year. I have worked very hard for this."
Escude required the trainer at the start of the second set for an apparent pulled thigh muscle, but out-played Ljubicic, appearing in his first final, in the 93-minute match.
"I am not at all disappointed to have lost the final," said Ljubicic.
"I played fantastic tennis in the last four or five days. I had my chances to win the match, but somehow I could not finish off points at crucial points, especially in the second set."
Llodra faces Hrbaty for hardcourt title
French doubles specialist Michael Llodra advanced to the final of the Australian hardcourt championships in Adelaide with a 6-3 7-5 win over American fifth seed Taylor Dent.
Llodra faces Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia, who beat Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 6-4 6-2.
• Top seed Carlos Moya faces defending champion Paradorn Srichaphan in the final of the Indian Masters in Madras.
Spaniard Moya beat Dutch third seed Sjeng Schalken 6-3 6-4, while Thai second seed Srichaphan beat Spanish fourth seed Tommy Robredo,
