Melo/Kubot Capture First Masters 1000 Team Title

Two-time team titilists Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo added their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown to their trophy haul on Saturday afternoon. The Polish/Brazilian combination dismissed Americans Nicholas Monroe and Jack Sock 7-5, 6-3 to win the Miami Open presented by Itau doubles title.

Kubot/Melo had won back-to-back Erste Bank Open 500 championships in Vienna in 2015 and 2016, but the two had never won a Masters 1000 crown. They came close last month, falling to Raven Klaasen/Rajeev Ram in the BNP Paribas Open final in Indian Wells. But on Saturday, Kubot/Melo were clutch and came through on one of the game’s biggest stages.

The titlists saved eight of nine break points and broke the Americans three times in the 82-minute final. Their first break came at exactly the right time: set point in the opener. Kubot slapped a backhand return at Monroe, who sliced his volley just wide.

Two games later, Kubot/Melo had broken again for 2-0 lead in the second set. But Monroe, with Kubot/Melo serving at 2-0, 15/40, ripped a forehand up the line and jogged to the chair as they were back on serve.

The even play wouldn’t last, though. Kubot/Melo reeled off four consecutive points to hold for a 3-2 lead and broke the next game when Sock double faulted. Three games later, Kubot/Melo served out the match for the championship.

The Miami champions will receive 1,000 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $385,170. Monroe/Sock, who were going for their second ATP World Tour team doubles title, will receive 600 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $187,970.