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Erlich, Ram win Israel's first Grand Slam tennis title

Best friends and doubles partners Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram became the first Israeli pairing to win a Grand Slam title when they outlasted Frenchmen Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement at the Australian Open yesterday.

Erlich and Ram, who did not concede a set throughout the tournament, dominated the Wimbledon champions in a match that was more lopsided than the 7-5, 7-6 (4) scoreline indicated.

They celebrated their win by hugging and hoisting each other into the air. Erlich went on to carry Ram on his back as he jogged around the court.

"Since I was born I've been waiting for this time," an emotional Erlich said.

Ram said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had already phoned to congratulate them, but they missed the call.

"They left me a message to call him back and I couldn't reach him," Ram said.

This tournament also marked the first time in five years that US brothers Bob and Mike Bryan did not appear in the Australian Open final after losing to Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the quarter-finals.

Erlich and Ram have won 10 tournaments together and are unbeaten in Davis Cup play since 2005, but it took seven Australian Open appearances for them to reach the final.

"We were fighting hard, we were much more hungry I think than Llodra and Clement today," Ram said. "They have a Grand Slam title already, maybe that's why."

Ram, who won last year's French Open mixed doubles title with Natalie Dechy, said yesterday's title was by far the greater achievement.

"We're so happy to be the first Israelis. We made history today," he said. "I'm very happy for both of us. We believed we could win the Grand Slam title. We really believed in this."

Erlich and Ram's win comes a day after Shahar Peer became the first Israeli woman to reach a Grand Slam final in the women's doubles.

Peer and Belarussian Victoria Azarenka lost to Ukrainian sisters Kateryna and Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 6-4 in the final.

"It's big for a small country like Israel to get Shahar Peer in the finals, us winning the title, semi-final of mixed doubles, quarters in mixed. It's big, you know," Ram said.

In a bold move for an Israeli pair, Erlich and Ram are now considering traveling to the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Tennis Championships.

"The ATP will do all they can do to provide us the right security. And if we decide to go, I think it's a big tournament," Ram said.
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