Rusedski wins at Rhode Island

Greg Rusedski reclaimed his place in the world’s top 100 by out-gunning fellow big-server Alexander Popp 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/5) at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championship at Newport, Rhode Island.

After the win, he hit out at critics who had called on him to quit after failing a drugs test at Indianapolis last summer.

He was eventually cleared this year by an anti-doping panel who heard that he had taken supplements supplied by ATP trainers.

“My critics were basically telling me to retire,” Rusedski said. “I’m glad I hung in there. I think the advantage I had over Popp is this was his first final and it was my 25th.

“This is the start of a comeback. I’ve had a miserable two years. It’s a great feeling to come back here 11 years later.”

Neither player lost his serve in the final as Rusedski saved four break points and Popp three.

And Rusedski blasted 11 aces in the final, bringing his total for five matches in the tournament to 63.

Popp, whose mother is British, said: “I just lost the match because he served a little better.”

Rusedski now moves on to Los Angeles where he competes in the Mercedes-Benz Cup.

A tough opener awaits there, with American Taylor Dent his first-round opponent.

Rusedski is not seeded in the event, as he was not in Newport, but another good showing would nudge him closer to the top 50.