Unseeded Steve Darcis claimed his second career ATP title with a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory in one hour and 15 minutes over No. 8 seed Robin Soderling in the final of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.
The 23-year-old Belgian captured his first ATP title in Amersfoot, the Netherlands on clay in July 2007 where, as a qualifier, he became the lowest ranked (No. 297) titlist of the season. The No. 81st-ranked Darcis will crack the Top 50 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings for the first time, climbing to around No. 45. He earned a career-high $163,750.
Top seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles captured their first ATP title together as they defeated Thai twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 7-6(5), 6-2 in one hour and 16 minutes. Bhupathi-Knowles, who joined forces at the beginning of the campaign, didn't drop a set in four matches. This was the 10th career tournament playing together (13-9 record). It was Bhupathi's 42nd career title and Knowles' 48th career crown.
