Granollers/Stakhovsky Clinch Newport Doubles Crown

Marcel Granollers and Sergiy Stakhovsky completed a wild week at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport by taking the doubles title on Sunday over Marcelo Arevalo and Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela 6-7(10), 6-4, 13-11.

“Marcel wanted to play with me here, but I wasn’t sure because I was supposed to play [singles] qualifying in Atlanta [this weekend],” said Stakhovsky. “I still wanted to play well, so I had to commit. I ended up having to skip Atlanta, but we won the doubles here, so it was nice.”

Granollers/Stakhovsky, who teamed up for the first time this week, were unable to convert on four set points in the opening set. They fought back to force a Match Tie-break and prevailed on their fourth championship point after one hour and 59 minutes. The Spanish-Ukrainian pairing saved three match points in their semi-final victory over third seeds Marcus Daniell and Leander Paes.

Their triumph gave Stakhovsky his fourth ATP Tour doubles title and first in eight years (2011 Dubai). He is still undefeated (8-0) in ATP Tour finals. Granollers picked up his first ATP Tour doubles title of the season and the 17th of his career. He has won with 11 different players and six of his titles came in his ATP Tour debut with a partner.

“It’s always nice when you leave a place with a title,” said Granollers. “We enjoy playing doubles and playing together, so I think we’ll play together again.”

Arevalo/Reyes-Varela drop to 1-2 in ATP Tour doubles finals. They also finished runner-up last year in Newport (l. to Erlich/Sitak).

Granollers/Stakhovsky earned 250 ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $33,000. Arevalo/Reyes-Varela walked away with 150 ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $16,920.