ATP DOUBLES TENNIS NEWS – MARCELO MELO BECOMES NO. 1 AFTER CAPTURING WIMBLEDON DUBS WITH KUBOT

Written by: Staff on 17th July 2017

ATP DOUBLES TENNIS NEWS - MARCELO MELO BECOMES NO. 1 AFTER CAPTURING WIMBLEDON DUBS WITH KUBOT

epa06090133 Lukasz Kubot (R) of Poland and Marcelo Melo (L) of Brazil celebrate winning against Oliver Marach of Austria and Mate Pavic of Croatia during their Men's Doubles final match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 15 July 2017. EPA/NIC BOTHMA EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO COMMERCIAL SALES |

By Ricky Dimon

Marcelo Melo officially regained the No. 1 doubles ranking in the world on Monday. That was guaranteed to happen when Melo went head-to-head with Henri Kontinen in the Wimbledon semifinals last Thursday, with the winner of that match assured of holding the top spot following the conclusion of the season’s third Grand Slam.

Kontinen had been the proud owner of the world No. 1 distinction, but he and partner John Peers could not hold off Melo and Lukasz Kubot in a semifinal thriller. The Brazilian-Polish pair prevailed over the top seeds 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2, 4-6, 9-7 to book their spot in the title match.

Melo, however, was clearly not satisfied simply with the No. 1 ranking.

Lukasz Kubot (L) of Poland and Marcelo Melo (R) of Brazil in action against Oliver Marach of Austria and Mate Pavic of Croatia during their Men’s Doubles final match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 15 July 2017. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

He wanted more, and that is exactly what he got two days later. In another marathon match, Melo and Kubot outlasted Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(2), 3-6, 13-11 to capture the Wimbledon title. Sunday’s final lasted four hours and 39 minutes–so long that the roof had to be closed due to darkness.

The 10-minute break at 11-11 fifth certainly did not hurt Melo and Kubot. In fact, they lost only one point in two games with the roof closed. After holding at 15 for a 12-11 advantage, the No. 4 seeds fired four brilliant returns to break at love and clinch victory.

“I think only the players know how strong you have to be (in a match like this),” Melo explained. “Sometimes you have once in your life when you are lucky to win this tournament. I was having my second chance. Lukasz, (this) was his first final here.

“For sure (it) was the toughest match in all circumstances, like to play. Big achievement for us. Tough moments going in and out, saving break points. So I think we (are) going to take a lot of time to sleep today.”

But it wasn’t the longest men’s doubles final in Wimbledon history. That came in 1992, when John McEnroe and Michael Stich got the best of Jim Grabb and Richey Reneberg 5-7, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (5), 19-17 after five hours and one minute in addition to 83 total games played.

Melo, of course, will take the Wimbledon title any way he can get it.

“I have to say Wimbledon is Wimbledon,” said the Brazilian, indicating that this was the event he always wanted to win the most, “the tournament I [have dreamt] about since I was young. I said many times this year my main focus was to play the best here. I did all the preparations to play the best here. I’m really glad to be able to do it.”