There is not quite a changing of the guard–not yet, at least–at the top of the singles rankings, but there was one on the doubles side on Monday. Marcelo Melo officially regained the No. 1 doubles spot two days after capturing the Wimbledon title with partner Lukasz Kubot.
That was guaranteed to happen after Melo went head-to-head with Henri Kontinen in the Wimbledon semis last Thursday, with the winner of that showdown assured of holding the top spot following the conclusion of the year’s third Grand Slam. Kontinen had been the proud owner of the No. 1 distinction, but he and partner John Peers could not withstand Melo and Lukasz Kubot in a semifinal thriller. The Brazilian-Polish pair prevailed over the top seeds 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2, 4-6, 9-7 to earn a place in the final.
Melo, however, was clearly not satisfied simply with the No. 1 ranking–which he also held at the end of 2015 and for a couple of months in 2016.
He wanted more, and that is exactly what he got this past Saturday. In another marathon match, Melo and Kubot survived an upset bid by Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(2), 3-6, 13-11 to secure the Wimbledon title. Sunday’s final lasted four hours and 39 minutes–so long that the roof had to be closed due to darkness.
The 10-minute break at 11-11 fifth did not hurt Melo and Kubot in the least. In fact, they dropped only one point in two games with the roof closed. After holding at 15 for a 12-11 advantage, the No. 4 seeds fired four scorching returns to break at love and clinch victory.
“I think only the players know how strong you have to be (in a match like this),” Melo explained. “Sometimes you have once in your life when you are lucky to win this tournament. I was having my second chance. Lukasz, (this) was his first final here.
“For sure (it) was the toughest match in all circumstances, like to play. Big achievement for us. Tough moments going in and out, saving break points. So I think we (are) going to take a lot of time to sleep today.”
But it wasn’t the longest men’s doubles final in tournament history. That came in 1992, when John McEnroe and Michael Stich defeated Richey Reneberg and Jim Grabb 5-7, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (5), 19-17 after five hours and one minute in addition to 83 total games played.
Melo, of course, will take the Wimbledon trophy any way he can get it.
“I have to say Wimbledon is Wimbledon,” the 6’8” Brazilian said, indicating that this was the event he always wanted to win the most, “the tournament I [have dreamt] about since I was young. I said many times this year my main focus was to play the best here. I did all the preparations to play the best here. I’m really glad to be able to do it.”
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