Skupski/Salisbury Lift Maiden Team Trophy In Vienna

Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski captured their maiden team title on Sunday, defeating Mike Bryan and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-6(5), 6-3 at the Erste Bank Open 500.

The British duo, appearing for the first time since its team debut at the 2018 Winston-Salem Open, landed 10 aces and saved both break points it faced to lift the trophy after 76 minutes. Salisbury has now won two tour-level crowns this season after clinching his first title at the Shenzhen Open (w/McLachlan) in September. Having also lifted his first tour-level trophy earlier this year in Montpellier (w/ K. Skupski), the 28-year-old Skupski is also a two-time ATP World Tour champion.

Like Salisbury and Skupski, Bryan and Roger-Vasselin were appearing in just their second tour-level event as a team. The American-French tandem, which reached the Citi Open final on its team debut this year (l. to Murray/Soares), drops to a 5-2 record after reaching its second tour-level championship match.

World No. 1 Bryan was aiming to lift his fifth tour-level crown of the season and 121st overall. Alongside brother Bob Bryan, the 40-year-old captured the Vienna title in 2011. Winner of trophies in Metz (w/Mahut) and Antwerp (w/Mahut), Roger-Vasselin was bidding to secure his 17th tour-level doubles title.

Salisbury and Skupski gain 500 ATP Doubles Ranking points and split €142,670 in prize money for lifting the trophy. Bryan and Roger-Vasselin receive 300 points and share €69,850.

Did You Know?
Both teams entered the championship match in Vienna with a 5-1 team record.