In a glorious ceremony attended by more than 4,000 tennis-mad fans, the Executive Manager Mohammad Khalilpour expressed his satisfaction with holding the tournament, hoping such events help progress tennis in the country.

A group of Iranian tennis experts had an eight-month work for holding the two-day tourney, he said.

Vice-chairman of Tehran province Tennis Board lauded the officials of Physical Education Organization, the organizing committee, spectators, sponsors, media, and management of Enqelab Sports Complex for their support and cooperation.

Bjorn Borg and Mikael Pernfors from Sweden, Emilio Sanchez from Spain, and Mansour Bahrami from Iran were four of the world famous tennis players, who participated in the tournament.

The quartet were in agreement that the primary problem with Iran's tennis is too few tournaments held in the country.

Speaking at a press conference, they all said tennis players in the world play year around in various tournaments, which keep them match-fit.

On Friday, veteran Iranian tennis player Bahram overcame Borg.

Borg won the first set 7-5 that responded by Bahrami, who defeated the Swedish 6-2 in the second set.

Bahrami sealed the victory as he won the `super tiebreak' third set 10-8.

In doubles, Bahrami who combined with the Spaniard Emilio Sanchez was victorious as well. The duo thrashed Borg and his fellow countryman Pernfors 6-3 6-4 in two straight games.

On July 11, Sweden's Mikael Pernfors fought back to defeat the Spaniard Emilio Sanchez 2-1 in the second World Tennis Stars Tournament here Friday.

In front of over 4,000 fans, Pernfors who lost 6-7 managed to win the next two sets 6-3 10-6 on the clay court of Enqelab Sports Complex, northwest of Tehran.

The third set was play according to the super tiebreak rules. The player who gets the 10th point sooner is the winner,

In doubles, the duo Mansour Bahrami of Iran and Bjorn Borg from Sweden crushed Pernfors-Sanchez team 6-4 6-3 in two consecutive sets.

... Payvand News - 7/12/03 ... --