During a week in which seeded players have been dumped out unceremoniously in the singles draw, the doubles draw in Montpellier sees the top seeds fall in Friday's quarterfinal action at the Open Sud de France.
Top Seeds Upset in Montpellier
In the second semifinal of the day, it was a smooth start for both teams as serves held easily through the first five games for a 3-2 lead for Mahesh Bhupathi and Jonathan Marray over top seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcin Matkowski. In the sixth game, the veterans would get a first look at a break point for either team. There would be four in fact with Bhupathi-Marray finally cashing in on the fourth try to earn the break and a 4-2 lead. That lasted but a single game as the top seeds, Lukasz Kubot and Marcin Matkowski, would break back in the very next game. A quick consolidation of that break found the score knotted at 4-4. Bhupathi-Marray would have one look at a set point in the 10th game, but could not convert as the set wound up in a tiebreak. The top seeds struggled mightily as Bhupathi-Marray took it in the blink of an eye 7-6 (2).
The second set quickly gave way for the top seeds as they were broken in the first game. Bhupathi and Marray continued with solid serving the rest of the way as they saved three break points in the set. They would close out the upset for a 7-6 (2), 6-2 win and a spot in the men's doubles semifinals. They will take on Alexander and Mischa Zverev. Earlier in the day, second seeds Mate Pavic and Michael Venus sewed up their spot in the final with a win over Marc Lopez and Andrea Arnaboldi. The second seeds survived 6-3, 6-7 (8), 10-6 to advance to their second final of the season. The duo won the men's title in Auckland earlier this season at the ASB Classic.
One Half of Sofia Final Set
Philipp Oswald and Adil Shamasdin are headed to the final at the Garanti Koza Sofia Open. The unseeded duo outlasted Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Lukas Rosol 4-6, 6-3, 10-2. The opening set saw Fyrstenberg-Rosol secure the lone break of the set as they won just two more points that their opponents, 29 to 27. The second set saw Oswald and Shamsdin attack the serves of their opponents better as they won 13 of 24 points from the Fyrstenberg-Rosol serves. The super tiebreak saw further struggles for Fyrstenberg and Rosol as they won just one point out of six on serve as Oswald-Shamasdin cruised to the win. They get the winner of the all-Dutch battle between third seeds Matwe Middlekoop and Wesley Koolhof versus Robin Haase and Thiemo de Bakker. That semifinal takes place on Saturday with the final scheduled for Sunday.
Final Set in Ecuador
Brazilians Thomaz Bellucci and Marcelo Demoliner notched a win over Andrej Martin and Hans-Podlipnik Castillo 6-3, 3-6, 10-4 in Friday's first semifinal at the Ecuador Open Quito. Bellucci-Demoliner won one point less than their opponents in the match, 55 to 56. The trip to the final is just Bellucci's second career doubles final at the ATP level. Demoliner is making his first finals appearance. They will go up against Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Duran. The duo stunned third seeds Nicholas Monroe and Austin Krajicek in straights 7-6 (5), 6-4. The Spaniard and Argentine bring even less finals experience against Bellucci-Demoliner, as in none. Neither player has participated in a doubles final at the ATP level.
Paes Helps Celebrate Indian Great Namesh Kumar, Talks Davis Cup
Leander Paes says the possibility of India hosting a Davis Cup tie later this year is exciting. Paes spoke about that during a celebration this week at the Calcutta South Club to honor Naresh Kumar, a former Davis Cup captain and player for India. India is scheduled to play in World Group I second round action in July. They will play the March winner betweebn New Zealand and Korea Republic. A site has not yet been announced for tje July clash. Paes is hoping that it could be Calcutta, saying "To come up and play a tie before the Olympics will be great fun and also help in my preparations. Preparing for the Olympics this year is something very important to me."
Paes also spoke admirably about Kumar on his special night and cited the 87-year-old a huge influence on his career on and off the court. “Through hard times in life, away from tennis as well, Uncle Naresh has been my guide. Last three years have been tough and Uncle Naresh's guidance to fight for the truth, fight for family, to be there for our children, has guided me through those years.” Paes continued, saying “I didn't know whether to go left or right, straight or back, but those words from him - "I believe in you" - is all what I needed."
Kumar played 17 career Davis Cup ties for India, going 26-20.between 1952 and 1960.