Nestor/Roger-Vasselin Prevail In Antwerp
Nestor/Roger-Vasselin Prevail In Antwerp
Canadian-French pairing shock Herbert/Mahut on Sunday
Daniel Nestor/Edouard Roger-Vasselin continued their unbeaten streak in 2016 with a win over top seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert/Nicolas Mahut on Sunday in the final of the European Open in Antwerp, 6-4, 6-4.
“Anti-inflammatories, good partners. At this point in my career, whenever somebody asks me to play, I say yes,” joked Nestor about what still keeps him having success at age 44. “Eddie and I have always played well together, so we tried to take the opportunity.”
The match opened with three consecutive service breaks, but Nestor/Roger-Vasselin came out on top to lead 2-1 and rode their slight advantage to the opening set. They opened the second set by breaking the top seeds and put on a clinic in their own service games, dropping just five points to storm through to the title.
Nestor/Roger-Vasselin are 7-0 as a team this year after prevailing in July at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C, and 23-6 since the 2015 Rogers Cup. Nestor has won at least one doubles title every season since 1994. His career ATP World Tour doubles finals record improves to a staggering 91-59, while Roger-Vasselin sees his jump to 13-6. Nestor has won three titles this year (Washington w/Roger-Vasselin, Nottingham w/Inglot), while Roger-Vasselin earned his second.
Herbert/Mahut were seeking their sixth ATP World Tour doubles title as a team in 2016. They’ve produced a 35-9 record this season and have already confirmed their spot for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Nestor/Roger-Vasselin pick up 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points and split €30,620 for their win, while Herbert/Mahut earn 150 ATP Rankings points and €16,100 for their efforts.