Tennis: Kiwi doubles pair beaten in semifinals

Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak of New Zealand talk tactics at the Australian Open. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand tennis players Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak have had their run of success in Mexican Challenger tournaments come to an end in the semifinals of the US$75,000 Leon Challenger.

They were beaten 7-6 (2) 7-6 (8) in one hour 35 minutes by the world's fastest server, Australian Sam Groth and former doubles No.1 and eight-time Grand Slam winner Leander Paes of India.

Over the past four weeks Daniell and Sitak have scored two tournament titles and had two semifinals results. The pair will now play in the ATP tournament in Houston, Texas next week.

Meanwhile Kiwi singles No.1 Finn Tearney has battled illness as he lost in the semifinals of the Japan Futures at Tsukuba. He was defeated in straight sets by Japan's Imai Shintaro 6-1 6-3, however Tearney and countryman Ben McLachlan have won the doubles title at the same tournament beating Yuichi Ito and Sho Katayama 3-6 6-4 10-4.

It was the eighth career Futures doubles title for Tearney and 10th for McLachlan.