By Ricky Dimon
Two American men playing for a Grand Slam title in men’s double has been commonplace over the last decade and a half. Normally, however, they are on the same side of the net. And related. And identical.
The United States’ has two once again in this year’s French Open title match, but they are not twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan. Instead, Donald Young and Ryan Harrison will be facing each other with a slam with a major championship at stake.
Young and Mexico’s Santiago Gonzalez booked a spot in the final when they defeated Fernando Verdasco and Nenad Zimonjic 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3 on Friday. The Young-Gonzalez duo has also taken out No. 14 seeds Daniel Nestor and Fabrice Martin in addition to No. 5 seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares.
“Uno mas” Young posted on Instagram.
Gonzalez wrote the following on Twitter: “Wowww #livingthedream FINAL!!!!”
Harrison and New Zealand’s Michael Venus made it an all-unseeded final by beating the 16th-seeded Colombian duo of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday. Every single win during their amazing run has come in three sets, and it includes defeats of No. 4 seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo and No. 7 seeds Ivan Dodig and Marcel Granollers.
“Pumped for the final tomorrow with [Ryan]!!!” is what Venus published on Instagram, with a video of match point.
Young will become the fourth African-American man in tennis history to play for a Grand Slam title, following Arthur Ashe, Brian Shelton (1992 French Open mixed doubles), and MaliVai Washington (1996 Wimbledon singles Runner- up).
Topics: 10sballs.com, 2017 French Open, American Tennis, Atp World Tour, Donald Young jr, Doubles tennis, French Open Tennis, Michael Venus, RG17, Roland Garros 2017, Ryan Harrison, Santiago Gonzalez, Sports, Tennis News