Melzer/Marach Capture Maiden Team Trophy In Hamburg

After failing to convert two championship points to lift their maiden ATP Tour team title at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag last week, Oliver Marach and Jurgen Melzer needed just eight days to go one step further at the Hamburg European Open on Sunday.

The Austrian tandem defeated Robin Haase and Wesley Koolhof 6-2, 7-6(3) to take the trophy after 84 minutes, saving both break points faced en route to victory. Marach and Pavic improve to 15-9 at tour-level as a team, dating back to their first appearance together in 2011.

“I think we can be very happy with our performances this week,” said Melzer. “We have played good tennis, especially when it mattered. It is never easy to come back after a tough loss the week before in a final. To not lose a set the week after and win an ATP 500, I am very happy about that.”

Marach has now captured the Hamburg crown on two occasions from three final appearances, following his 2011 title run (w/Peya) and a runner-up finish last year (w/Pavic). Melzer adds to 2019 trophies in Marrakech (w/Skugor) and Sofia (w/Mektic).

Marach has now won 23 titles from 50 tour-level championship matches. Melzer adds a 16th tour-level doubles trophy to his collection.

“Hopefully we can take our run with us now [to Kitzbuhel]… We will have already, on Tuesday or Wednesday, our next match. We will rest tomorrow a little bit and then start the tournament,” said Marach.

Haase and Koolhof were bidding to capture their first ATP Tour title in only their third event as a team. At the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters in April, the Dutch duo also finished as the runner-up pairing (l. to Mektic/Skugor).

Marach and Melzer earn 500 ATP Doubles Ranking points and share €111,490. Haase and Koolhof gain 300 points and split €54,570.