Gonzalez/Demoliner Clinch Maiden Team Triumph In Antalya

  • Posted: Jun 29, 2018

Gonzalez/Demoliner Clinch Maiden Team Triumph In Antalya

The title is Gonzalez’s 12th at tour-level and Demoliner’s first

Marcelo Demoliner and Santiago Gonzalez failed to convert two championship points in the second set of the Turkish Airlines Open Antalya final. But the Brazilian-Mexican duo recovered from the disappointment to beat Dutchmen Sander Arends and Matwe Middelkoop 7-5, 6-7(6), 10-8 to lift the trophy on Friday.

Demoliner and Gonzalez, who were 2-4 as a pair before the week, claim their maiden title as a team. It’s an especially notable victory for Demoliner, as the 29-year-old fell in his first six tour-level finals.

“It’s a very special moment. It was a great match, a tough one,” Demoliner said. “We had one match point in the second set [on which] I missed a very easy smash. I was a little bit nervous. I’m very happy for my first title. Also playing with this guy, he’s a great guy. It’s very nice to play with him. He brings a great energy on the court with me. So I’m very happy to get the title.”

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Demoliner/Gonzalez could have lost the plot in the Match Tie-break, but three mini-breaks carried the team to victory.

“We stayed strong. We are very happy to win our first team title,” said Gonzalez, who now owns 12 tour-level trophies.. “Especially for Demo, this is his first ATP title, so I’m very happy for him.”

The unseeded duo earns 250 ATP Doubles Rankings points and a share of €23,090. The third-seeded Dutchmen, Arends and Middelkoop, fell just short of their maiden team victory. But they add 150 points and a split of €12,140 for their efforts. Arends was attempting to clinch his first tour-level title in his second final. The 26-year-old reached the Bastad final last year with Middelkoop, who is a six-time ATP World Tour champion.

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Both teams played well with their serves under pressure throughout the match. Demoliner/Gonzalez saved seven of eight break points, while Arends/Middelkoop held off seven of nine opportunities. 

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