Serbian Success: Lajovic/Cacic Triumph In Chengdu

Nikola Cacic and Dusan Lajovic captured their first team title at the Chengdu Open on Sunday, defeating Jonathan Erlich and Fabrice Martin 7-6(9), 3-6, 10-3.

Competing in their first ATP Tour championship match as a team, Cacic and Lajovic saved two set points in a thrilling first-set tie-break before claiming the title after one hour and 41 minute. The Serbian duo’s victory against Erlich and Martin was its second Match Tie-break triumph against seeded opposition this week. In the first round, Cacic and Lajovic also eliminated third seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Robert Lindstedt.

Cacic and Lajovic improve to 5-3 at tour-level after lifting the trophy. The title is the first ATP Tour crown of Cacic’s career, while Lajovic adds the Chengdu title to his maiden tour-level doubles trophy at 2015 Istanbul (w/Albot).

Erlich and Martin were bidding to lift their first tour-level title as a team in just their second ATP Tour event as a pairing. The fourth seeds advanced to the championship match in Chengdu with three Match Tie-break wins.

Cacic and Lajovic earn 250 ATP Doubles Ranking points and share $62,010 in prize money. Erlich and Ram receive 150 points and split $31,780.