Skugor/Inglot Capture ‘s-Hertogenbosch Title

Dominic Inglot and Franko Skugor won their second team title on Saturday, defeating Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus 7-6(3), 7-5 to triumph at the Libema Open.

“It was a great, we both played unbelievably,” said Inglot. “The weather has been amazing this week and the courts have been in great shape so we are really happy.”

The British-Croatian tandem fired 10 aces and won 75 per cent of first-serve points in the 86-minute match to add to their maiden success earlier this year at the Gazprom Hungarian Open. It is Inglot’s 10th tour-level doubles victory, while both of Skugor’s titles have come alongside the Briton this year.

Klassen was aiming to clinch his 15th tour-level doubles title, with Venus bidding for an eighth crown. Klaasen and Venus were also attempting to win their second team title after lifting the Open 13 Provence title in February.

In a first set dominated by serve, Inglot and Skugor failed to convert the only break point opportunity for either team at 3-3. But the third seeds soon moved ahead after converting their first set point at 6/3 in the tie-break. Inglot and Skugor did not drop a single point behind their first serves (19/19) throughout the set.

“At the beginning it was tricky because it was a bit windy and our opponents were serving unbelievably,” reflected Inglot. “It was very much a serving set, in the first set.”

Klaasen and Venus responded quickly, immediately breaking in the opening game of the second set. But Inglot and Skugor rallied, pegging the second seeds back in the fourth game to level the score at 2-2, before snatching a crucial break at 6-5 to clinch the title on their second championship point.

“In the second set we got our returns going and thankfully we were able to come up with a break at the end,” said Inglot.

Inglot and Skugor receive 250 ATP Doubles Ranking points and share €33,210 in prize money for lifting the trophy. Klaasen and Venus gain 150 points and split €17,460.

“Dom took over this week… he played a great match today as well,” said Skugor. “We had a lot of fun out there.”

Did You Know?
Dominic Inglot and Franko Skugor have played just four tournaments together as a team. The duo won their debut tournament at the Gazprom Hungarian Open and now own a 9-2 record after capturing their second title.