Matkowski/Qureshi Capture Auckland Crown

Fourth seeds Marcin Matkowski and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi captured the ASB Classic crown with a 1-6, 6-2, 10-3 win over Jonathan Erlich and Scott Lipsky on Saturday.

Erlich and Lipsky quickly claimed the first set after 23 minutes, but the eventual champions fired up for a comeback, breaking early in the second set for a 1-0 lead. The Polish/Pakistani duo capitalised on all three break point chances in their 61-minute victory.

Matkowski and Qureshi topped Ryan Harrison and John Isner 7-6(4), 6-1 in the first round, beat Santiago Gonzalez and David Marrero 6-4, 3-6, 11-9 in the quarter-finals and defeated Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Demoliner 6-4, 6-4 for a final berth.

“I’m really happy with our performances throughout the week and especially the way we found our way back into the matches and to win the title,” said Qureshi. “I’m really happy and proud with the way we handled the pressure and the situations in all of the matches.”

“Obviously it was a great partnership for us so we couldn’t ask for anything else and hopefully we’ll have good luck in Melbourne for each of us and then we can play some more tournaments after,” added Matkowski.

The 35-year-old Matkowski is now 18-28 in ATP World Tour finals, while Qureshi, age 36, improves to 12-16. As champions, they will split $24,380 and 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points.

Unseeded duo Erlich and Lipsky, who upset second seeds Dominic Inglot and Florin Mergea en route to the final, will split $12,820 and 150 Emirates ATP Rankings points.