Jazz claims maiden Asian title
DHAKA: Talented Thai golfer Jazz Janewattananond completed a turnaround in his career claiming his maiden Asian Tour title when he shot a four-under-par 67 in the final round at the $300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open on Saturday.
Jazz faced little challenge on his way to the title having started the final round with a four-shot advantage and completed the victory with a total 17-under-par 267.
Jazz was delighted to get his career back on track after failing to keep his Asian Tour card for the first time in his career last season when he finished 63rd on the Order of Merit.
He returned to the Qualifying School last month but did not manage to secure his card.
“I have been waiting for this win for so long. I started playing on the Asian Tour when I was an amateur at 14. It’s just a huge relief that I managed to get the job done,” said Jazz, will take home a winner’s prize purse of $54,000.
Home hero Siddikur Rahman flew his country’s flag, emerging as the bestplaced local player in second place following a 66 on what is the third leg of the Asian Tour schedule this season. TOKYO: France wrapped up victory in their Davis Cup first-round tie against Japan after Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut won Saturday’s doubles to give the visitors an unassailable 3-0 lead.
The Wimbledon champions swatted aside Yuichi Sugita and Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 after Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon had dominated the opening day’s singles in Tokyo on Friday.
“We didn’t play our greatest match but did what we had to do to win,” Mahut told reporters after helping France secure a spot in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. “It’s rare you get easy matches in the David Cup,” he added, struggling to be diplomatic after second lopsided day of tennis.
“We had a few complicated moments but we managed to deal with them. We’ve been together for over three weeks so we know each other well and have this strength.”
Japan have failed to win a single set in three matches in the absence of world number five Kei Nishikori, who opted to sit out the World Group clash.
Gasquet swept past Taro Daniel 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 on Friday before Simon overpowered Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to put Yannick Noah’s team firmly in the driving seat.
“It was quick and well played, yes,” said Noah, a losing Davis Cup finalist in 1982. “Three-zero against a Japan team without Nishikori looks normal,” added the former French Open champion, whose team will face either Britain or Canada in April’s quarterfinals.
“And the doubles — number one in the world against 300, you expect this on paper. But you still have to get the job done. We will go out and party tonight!”
Nine-time winners France have now won all four of their Davis Cup meetings with Japan, who will look to avoid a whitewash in Sunday’s dead-rubber reverse singles.
Japan captain Minoru Ueda doffed his cap to the victorious French.
“You could feel the strength of the French team,” he said. “It’s obvious they have a strong desire to go all the way and win the Davis Cup. Their doubles pair were superb, they never looked like faltering.”
“It has been a long time since I last played so well. It was a great round and a superb week,” said Siddikur.
“I am really thankful to get such a huge crowd following me on my home course on the last day. I am happy with how I played too,” he added.
American Dodge Kemmer secured his best finish on the Asian Tour after returning with a 68 to take third place on his own on 273.