TENNIS ROUNDUP : In Qatar, Becker Stops Ivanisevic’s Hot Streak

Boris Becker of Germany needed 2 hours 27 minutes to cool off Croatia’s Goran Ivanisevic, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-5, in the final of the $450,000 Qatar Open Sunday at Doha, Qatar.

Ivanisevic had blitzed through the previous rounds without dropping a set. But against the third-seeded Becker, who earned $65,000, it was another story.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the new year,” Becker said. “We always seem to play great matches against each other, and I’m sure Goran is going to get me next time.”

It was Becker’s first outdoor tournament title in nearly 15 months. He won the ATP championship indoors at Frankfurt last month.

With the victory in the Gulf’s first IBM-ATP tournament, Becker, 25, also moved from fifth place to fourth in the rankings, trading spots with Ivanisevic.

“Boris was the boss today,” Ivanisevic, 21, said. “I was the little guy on big points. Hopefully, I’ll learn from this and come back good again.”

Becker, who beat top-seeded Stefan Edberg of Sweden in Saturday’s semifinal, at times looked invincible--especially when he returned Ivanisevic’s powerful serves with ease.

Ivanisevic, who served 16 aces, earned $38,000.

Both players were cautioned by umpire George Dias during the opening set; Becker for using obscene language as he reprimanded himself for a foolish shot, and Ivanisevic for racket abuse.

Becker and compatriot Patrik Kuhnen won the doubles later Sunday, beating Americans Shelby Cannon and Scott Melville, 6-2, 6-4.

Conchita Martinez of Spain beat Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria, 6-3, 6-4, in the final of the $150,000 Australian Women’s Hardcourt championship at Brisbane.

The top-seeded Martinez used deep groundstrokes to wear down the inconsistent Maleeva and win the 15th title of her career.

The victory lifted Martinez, 20, to seventh in the world rankings past Jennifer Capriati, who didn’t play this week.

“I really needed this title to lift my confidence, so I’m very happy,” said Martinez, whose next tournament will be the season’s first grand slam event, the Australian Open beginning Jan. 18.

Martinez raced through the first set in 26 minutes, reeling off 16 straight points at one stage as the second-seeded Maleeva committed several errors. Maleeva finished with 45 errors to Martinez’s 25.

Nicklas Kulti of Sweden rallied to win a $185,000 event at Adelaide, Australia, defeating countryman Christian Bergstrom, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, in the final.

Byron Black beat 19-year-old Tommy Ho, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, to win the $50,000 BP Challenger tournament at Wellington, New Zealand.

After the singles final, Black went back on the court 15 minutes later to win the doubles title with Paul Annacone. They beat Mark Knowles and Roger Smith of the Bahamas, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).