In a dramatic conclusion to the US Open Men’s Doubles Final, Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski faced a heartbreaking defeat, allowing Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos to claim their second Grand Slam title within a span of just a few months. The final scoreline read 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 after a gripping two hours and 24 minutes of intense tennis.
Following the victory, Zeballos expressed his disbelief and gratitude during the trophy presentation. “Honestly, I don’t know what to think right now. It was an incredible battle,” he remarked. “When you play these kinds of matches, it is so unfair when there is a winner and a loser, because both teams played exceptionally well. They absolutely deserved to win too, so congrats and keep it going.”
Granollers echoed Zeballos’s sentiments, acknowledging the demanding nature of the tournament. “These two weeks were probably some of my toughest ever. I want to thank all the physios, our doctor, and everyone who helped me prepare for this tournament,” he said. He also expressed immense appreciation for his partner, stating, “This year we are having amazing results, and I’m very happy to do it with you.”
Since their collaboration began in 2019, Granollers and Zeballos have shown remarkable consistency, although they previously struggled in Grand Slam finals, holding a discouraging 0-3 record before their recent victory at the French Open in June, where they triumphed over Salisbury and Skupski in a similarly close match.
In the exciting New York showdown, Granollers and Zeballos displayed their resilience, particularly when they faced break points at critical moments. They rallied from 0-40 while serving at 3-3 in the second set and again found themselves in trouble at 0-40 while serving for the match at 4-5 in the third. However, they managed to turn the tide.
The pivotal moment came when Skupski, having netted the ball on all three championship points, stepped up to serve again in the following game. The pressure mounted, and despite fighting hard to fend off the first two break points, they faltered on the third as Granollers unleashed a stunning forehand return winner. The Spaniard then confidently served out the match, sealing the title for the dynamic duo.
As the British pair faced their disappointment, Granollers and Zeballos celebrated a significant milestone in their careers, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in men’s doubles tennis.
