Rusedski Left Red-Faced in Final Defeat

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GREG RUSEDSKI yesterday missed out on his biggest win in Britain so far - but the defeat may have saved him from an almighty row.

Richard Krajicek eventually won a bruising and ultimately gripping Guardian Direct Cup final 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 after a bit of showboating from the home favourite came close to turning into a serious argument of sporting ethics.

Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon champion, was serving in the third set at 4-3, 15-0 and bludgeoning his way to victory when Rusedski, at the wrong end of a phenomenal serving display, lightheartedly handed his racket to a ball girl in frustration.

Young Victoria Lister took the racket and, much to the Battersea …