Dubai, UAE - Israeli Andy Ram was bundled out in his opening doubles match at the Barclays Championships on Wednesday, leaving organisers to stand down on intense, airport style security erected around the controversial Israeli. The fourth-seeded Ram and Kevin Ullyett, losing finalists at the weekend in Marseille, were beaten by Marat Safin and David Ferrer 6- 3, 3-6, 10-8 in the first round.
In singles play, three seeds reached the quarter-finals, led by number 3 Frenchman Gilles Simon, who beat Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia 6-1, 6-2.
Spain's number 4 Ferrer ousted German Philip Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2 while Croatian fifth seed Marin Cilic beat Julien Benneteau of France 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
A huge security presence surrounded the Ram doubles contest, with spectators required to pass thorough metal detectors and no electronics or bottles of water allowed in the sparsely populated stands.
The majority seemed to have fronted up to see the charismatic Safin.
"I enjoyed my stay in Dubai," said the 28-year-old Ram who was allowed in on a special dispensation visa by the UAE government. "Coming to the court with a couple of bodyguards was a nice experience.
"During the warmup I was just thinking tactics."
Security around the Aviation club was ramped up to levels more suitable for Barack Obama than a mere tennis player - even a Roger Federer or a Rafael Nadal.
The men's ATP tournament follows last week's drama-filled WTA event, where Israeli Shahar Peer was denied a visa by the UAE. Ram was let in as a special concession as outrage flared among Jewish and other groups around the world.
But with Ram isolated even from other players after being given his own locker room, his tournament entry quickly became something of a golden cage.
But Ram has now been freed with the defeat.
"It was obviously some big history here, the first Israeli coming to play sport in Dubai. It showed that we should not involve sport and politics," he said in an interview in a room full of more security and with only one questioner allowed in.
"It was the right decision for me to come here, it's a big tournament with big money and big points. I won the Australian Open last year, I won Indian Wells, professionally it was the right decision."
Ram called losing the first round "disappointing" but added he was "happy from the experience."
