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Kafelnikov Takes Dutch Tourney


Yevgeny Kafelnikov closed in on the world's No. 1 ranking Sunday, beating Tim Henman 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) to win the ABN AMRO tournament.

The first point of the game set the tone for the match: the seventh-ranked Henman stayed back on his first serve and lost a 14-stroke rally.

After four aces in his first two service games, the Briton's first serve deserted him, and he lost the match's first break point to go down 3-2.

The Russian broke Henman again in the seventh game and went on to win the set.

Henman changed tactics and went on the offense, serving and volleying successfully in the first game of the second set.

But Kafelnikov rallied to tie the set 5-5, helped by a series of unforced errors by Henman.

Leading 4-3 in the tiebreaker, Kafelnikov produced the shot of the match, a running backhand winner just over the net.

Henman netted a volley on the next point to trail 6-3 and Kafelnikov won the first of three match points.

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