Venus Risen: Kiwi/Croat Combo Crowned

There’s no place like home. Just ask Michael Venus. Playing in his birth city on Saturday, the New Zealander teamed with Croat Mate Pavic to win the doubles title at the ASB Classic, his countrymen cheering him on as they defeated No. 4-seeded Americans Eric Butorac and Scott Lipsky 7-5, 6-4.

Venus/Pavic didn’t drop a set en route to the title.

“I was a little bit surprised we played that good today,” Pavic told the crowd afterward. “Mike was a bit emotional today because he played a final in front of all of you guys.”  

Venus became the first Auckland champion from New Zealand since Marcus Daniell partnered with Horia Tecau to win the 2010 title.

With the first set on serve at 5-all, Butorac/Lipsky fell behind 0-40 and were broken at love. Venus/Pavic would consolidate the break to take the 33-minute stanza.

The New Zealand/Croatian combo would grab another break in the fifth game of the second set to distance themselves for good. Amidst shouts of “GO, KIWI!” Venus served out the match in front of the home crowd in 69 minutes. They improved to 19-12 lifetime on the ATP World Tour and 2-2 in finals, their first title coming last year in Nice.

“I think Kiwi tennis is in good hands right now with Michael playing so well, also Artem [Sitak] and Marcus,” said a gracious Butorac. “I hope the fans continue to support them.”

The champs finished with 20 winners to 21 unforced errors.