Beaten on the wire last year by the Americans Mike Bryan and Jack Sock – after having ruined a match point – the French pair of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut (world number 8) gave themselves the opportunity to make up for it by qualifying again on Saturday, November 16th, for the doubles Masters final in London, thanks to his victory over the duo formed by Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Brazil's Marcelo Melo, 6-3, 7-6 ( 4).
In the final, they will meet South African Raven Klaasen and New Zealander Michael Venus (World No. 5), who have released the Colombian World No. 1, Juan-Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-7 (5), 7-6 (10), 10 points to 6 in the super tie-break.
"To be in the final again here, after last year's, it's like a second chance and we'll try to grab it"said Pierre-Hugues Herbert on the course after the match.
The French duo has won all four games and has yet to concede a single set in the tournament. Herbert and Mahut started their semifinals perfectly, immediately taking the serve from their opponents and concluding the first set on a shutout (6-3). They then tightened the game against this duo Kubot / Melo who beat them in the final in Vienna two weeks ago. Arrived at the tie-break of the second set, the French have to make the hole and conclude on their second match point, on a winning service.
"It's always tough matches against them. We won the important points today and when we had a break behind, we were able to stay together, that's what made the difference, while the last time we had a little lower level "explained Nicolas Mahut.
