Soares/Murray Double Their Fun For London Title

Jun252017

Third seeds remain undefeated on grass this year

Third seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares doubled their fun on Sunday at the Aegon Championships, winning their semi-final and the championship matches on the same day to take their second consecutive ATP World Tour doubles title on grass.

“If you see the board that’s down in the lounge, it’s all the great players that have won the doubles here. All the best teams, the best doubles players. They get an amazing field every year and this year was no different,” said Murray. “I used to watch this tournament growing up all the time. I’ve played here a lot of times now. I obviously lost the final to Bruno a few years ago. It’s a home event, and it has a little bit more on it, doesn’t it? I’m really proud to get my name up on the board. It was a great week for us.”

Murray/Soares started the day by finishing out their rain delayed semi-final against Marin Cilic and Marcin Matkowski with a 1-6, 6-3, 10-8 victory. They held set point in the second set on Saturday when showers forced them off the court, and kept the momentum on Sunday by racing to an 8/5 lead in the Match Tie-break before prevailing on their third match point.

The third seeds returned to the court shortly after for a comprehensive 6-2, 6-3 win over French duo Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Murray/Soares didn’t drop serve in the match, winning 78 per cent of their first-serve points and breaking Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin three times to prevail in 61 minutes.

“Playing home events is not easy. You do get a lot of the support when you’re on court, which is very nice, but I also know that there is a lot going on off court, so it’s not easy for the local guys. It’s no different for Jamie,” said Soares. “But every time we are on court, it’s very nice for us. We had the chance to play together in Brazil and it was amazing, and every time we come here it’s really nice. Today was a special day, winning such a big tournament and with a great crowd.”

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Murray/Soares also lifted the winner’s trophy last week in Stuttgart (d. Marach/Pavic) and this March in Acapulco (d. Isner/Lopez). Their win today makes Murray the first British player to win the doubles title at the Queen’s Club since 1990. Soares picks up his second Queen’s Club title after winning in 2014 (w/Peya). They earn 500 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split €119,140.

Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin were pairing for the first time this season, but had previously enjoyed success with fellow Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. Benneteau/Mahut won the title this February in Marseille (d. Haase/Inglot), while Mahut/Roger-Vasselin finished runner-up at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Madrid (l. Kubot/Melo). Benneteau/Roger-Vasselin pick up 300 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points and split €58,330.

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