Doubles: Xavier Malisse and Alexandr Dolgopolov beat Gilles Simon and Nicolas Mahut

Written by: Staff on 11th March 2012

Doubles: Xavier Malisse and Alexandr Dolgopolov beat Gilles Simon and Nicolas Mahut |

Indian Wells tennis fans were treated to an amazing doubles match tonight as defending champions Xavier Malisse and Alexandr Dolgopolov put on a wonderful display of touch, power, and trickery to out-play the firey French duo of Gilles Simon and Nicolas Mahut. In the first set, Malisse/Dolgopolov broke in the first game and continued to push the boundaries of what was possible in terms of hand speed at the net and sharp angles. Simon, after losing a point where all 4 players were closing in on the net, went to move his partner’s tennis bag because the winning shot bounced into the players’ changeover chairs. The crowds were in awe of the spectacular shot making.

When the pair of Malisse/Dolgopolov weren’t carving angled winners, they were using their quick hands to return big Mahut serves or pick up low and half-volleys. Mahut and Simon were constantly having to dig out volleys to no avail or forced to stay back on serves because of the dangerous returns of Malisse/Dolgopolov. Malisse/Dolgopolov did have their fun and were routinely smiling. At one point Dolgopolov hit a tweener volley and managed to stay in the point for a few more shots before Mahut put an overhead away. Despite the fact they lost the point, it squarely put the crowd in Malisse/Dolgopolov’s corner. The match was great fun for everyone who was able to attend, unfortunately those caught in the standing room only areas (stairways of the stadium and between reserved/general seating) were escorted outside the usher lines because there was over crowding. Final score, 6-4 6-4 in favor of the pony-tail-team of Xavier Malisse and Alexandr Dolgopolov!!!

Topics: Alexandr Dolgopolov, BNP Paribas Indian Wells, Gilles Simon, Nicolas Mahut, Xavier Malisse