Haase/Middelkoop Triumph In Montpellier

Robin Haase and Matwe Middelkoop captured their first title of the season on Sunday when they lifted the trophy at the Open Sud de France – Montpellier.

The Dutchmen defeated wild cards Maxime Cressy and Albano Olivetti 7-6(4), 4-6, 10-6 in the final of the ATP 250 for their fifth tour-level crown as a team. The fourth seeds lost a set in three of their four matches, but emerged victorious in France.

Haase and Middelkoop withstood 13 aces from their opponents in the championship clash. In the Match Tie-break they rode their own serves to victory, claiming seven of their eight service points — including all five behind their first serves — to close out the week in style.

Haase and Middelkoop also advanced to the third round of this year’s Australian Open, giving them a 7-3 tour-level record on the season. Next week they will try to defend a title on home soil at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam.

Cressy was competing in his second final of the day in Montpellier after losing a tight singles final in straight sets to Jannik Sinner. Both the American and Olivetti, a Frenchman, were trying to lift their first ATP Tour doubles trophy.

Did You Know?
Middelkoop has now won at least one ATP Tour doubles in eight consecutive seasons. He owns 14 tour-level doubles trophies and his partner, Haase, has claimed eight.