Latest news with #RookwoodCups
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rajeev Ram defies age to script ATP record in Cincinnati, becomes second-oldest men's doubles champion
Rajeev Ram and Nikola Mektic capped off a sensational run at the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, holding their nerves to beat Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego in the final and claim the men's doubles title. It was their maiden Masters 1000 trophy as a pair, coming in just their third event of the year after reaching the final together for the first time. Rajeev Ram (L) and Nikola Mektic pose with the Rookwood Cups after winning the men's doubles during Day 11 of the Cincinnati Open(Getty Images via AFP) It was a come-from-behind win for Ram and Mektic, who defeated the all-Italian pair 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 in a 90-minute clash. Their comeback was fueled by winning 87 per cent (34/39) of their first serves. With the win, Ram, at 41 years and four months, became the second-oldest men's doubles champion in Cincinnati, after 42-year-old Daniel Nestor, who won in 2015 alongside Edouard Roger-Vasselin. "Tennis, right? Crazy stories. This is our third tournament together, even though we've known each other for three decades, probably. Thank you so much, I can't thank you enough, and it was a pleasure playing this week," Mektic said to Ram during the trophy presentation ceremony. Mektic, meanwhile, won his 11th Masters 1000 title — the most by an active player in men's doubles. Earlier, on reaching the final, he became the third active doubles player, after Rohan Bopanna and Mate Pavic, to reach finals of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. "We've known each other a really long time... We've played some great matches against each other. It's so nice to have him [Mektic] on my side of the net," Ram said. The win helped the pair rise 196 spots to No. 25 in the ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings. Next up for the duo is the US Open, which begins later this month. Ram, a six-time major champion, has won three of his career Slams in New York. Mektic, on the other hand, is a former finalist, having reached the summit clash in 2020 with Wesley Koolhof, losing 5-7, 3-6 to Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares.
Otago Daily Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Kiwi wins second Cincinnati Open crown
Erin Routliffe (left) and Gabriela Dabrowski with their Rookwood Cups. New Zealand tennis player Erin Routliffe has won back-to-back doubles titles at the Cincinnati Open. Last year, the Kiwi won the WTA 1000 tournament with Asia Muhammad; this year she repeated that feat with regular partner Gaby Dabrowski. It is the first time Routliffe and Dabrowski have won a WTA 1000 title together and is their second title this year. Routliffe and Dabrowski defeated Guo Hanyu from China and Russia's Alexandra Panova 6-4 6-3, in a finals match that lasted one hour and 20 minutes. The Kiwi/Canadian team got the only break of serve in the opening set of the final and, in the second set, broke their opponents three times. It was Routliffe and Dabrowski back to their best. The Canadian, who was dealing with breast cancer this time last year, gave an emotional speech at the trophy presentation. "Exactly one year ago, I was going through radiation treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. "Erin's best friend, Asia Muhammed, stepped in and played this tournament and they took the title, which was really fun to watch them do from afar. "But I feel very fortunate to be able to compete this week and fill some very big shoes, Asia's shoes. So it's been super special to compete here alongside Erin." Routliffe paid tribute to all of those who had supported her and Dabrowski. "Our team, of course, everyone here and everyone watching back at home or wherever they are in the world, we have so many people behind us. It really does take a village to make us who we are and to give us the success that we have." The New Zealander then spoke to her long-time doubles partner. "Gaby, we have had a rough year and we've stuck together. I think this title means a lot to both of us." The pair next head to Monterrey in Mexico for one more tournament before the US Open begins on August 24. Meanwhile, singles player Lulu Sun has also been in action in Monterrey, advancing from qualifying into the main draw. The Kiwi defeated France's Diane Parry 6-4 7-6(5) in the final round of qualifying on Monday morning, setting up a rematch with Czech player Linda Noskova. The two met in last year's Monterrey final, which was Sun's first appearance in a WTA final, with Noskova winning 7-6(6) 6-4.
