Rajeev Ram took full advantage of his wildcard entry into the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport by securing his maiden ATP title.

Participating only by virtue of Mardy Fish’s Davis Cup call up (due to Andy Roddick’s withdrawal), the American ranked 181 in the world defeated fellow countryman Sam Querrey in the final.

Ram triumphed 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in a hard fought contest, playing the big serving Querrey at his own game by rattling down 25 aces. Victory sees Ram climb from 181 to 111 in the provisional ATP rankings, and scoop $79,000 in prize money. Querrey, who will be disappointed having defeated number one seed Fabrice Santoro in the semi-finals, will have to settle for 150 Ranking points and a $41,500 pay day.

Explaining his game tactics, Ram noted, ‘I relaxed and loosened up on my serve in the third set and picked up my game. I just concentrated on my game and tried to keep pressure on him. My style is to rush in with my serve and volley game’.

Meanwhile the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart is also underway, with a strong home contingent making waves. Former World No.5 Rainer Scheuttler gave home fans something so cheer about with a first round triumph over Ivo Minar. Wildcard Simon Gruel upset fellow countryman Andreas Beck 7-6, 7-6, and will go onto face the winner of Tomas Berdych and Nicolas Keifer.