McLachlan/Bambridge Race To Auckland Doubles Title

Luke Bambridge/Ben McLachlan made their first ATP Tour event together this year an unforgettable one, powering past Marcus Daniell/Philipp Oswald 7-6(3), 6-3 on Saturday to win the doubles title at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

“It means a lot to win this tournament. I grew up watching this tournament and was a ball kid here,” said McLachlan, a New Zealand native who represents Japan on the ATP Tour. “To be able to do this in front of my parents, my brother and friends is awesome.”

Bambridge/McLachlan won 75 per cent of their second-serve points (6/8) to help guide them through a tight opening set. They secured the lone break of the second set at 4-3 before serving out the match after one hour and 23 minutes. The unseeded pair didn’t drop a set throughout the week to secure their first ATP Tour team doubles title.

“I was thrilled, win or lose, that we went out and really attacked it, put our game style out on the court and implemented exactly what we wanted to do in every single match,” said Bambridge. “I think that’s the reason why we got over the line.”

The British-Japanese duo are a relatively new pairing, but enjoyed success when they teamed up last year. They reached the final in Vienna (l. to Ram/Salisbury) and advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open.

McLachlan also took the doubles title last year in Auckland (w/Struff). This is his fifth tour-level doubles title and the third for Bambridge, who finished runner-up with Santiago Gonzalez last week in Doha (l. to Bopanna/Koolhof).

Daniell was aiming for his first title on home soil since prevailing as a wild card in 2010 (w/Tecau). Oswald still seeks his first title in Auckland after also finishing runner-up in 2018 (w/Mirnyi).

Bambridge/McLachlan pick up 250 FedEx ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $30,900. Daniell/Oswald earn 150 FedEx ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $15,840.