Non accadeva da 56 anni (1959) da quando tali Orlando Sirola e Nicola Pietrangeli avevano vinto il titolo di doppio al Roland Garros. Due sets-fotocopia. In entrambi, i nostri sul quattro pari hanno strappato il servizio a Mahut/Herbert, sono andati a servire per il set, e non hanno fallito l'occasione. La "doppia settimana" di Italia-Francia si chiude con un successo. Speriamo che porti bene alla FedCup, che partirà esattamente fra una settimana...
Fognini & Bolelli trionfano in doppio a Melbourne
Dal sito ufficiale degli Australian Open
Unseeded Italian pairing Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli have capped an impressive fortnight to claim their first Grand Slam doubles title, dismissing French duo Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in straight sets in the Australian Open men’s doubles final on Saturday night.
In the all-unseeded clash, Fognini and Bolelli became the first Italian pairing to win the men’s doubles at a slam since Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola at Roland Garros in 1959; their 6-4 6-4 victory achieved after just 1 hour and 21 minutes.
Both teams traded early breaks, and it was the French who suffered the first unexpected shake-up when Mahut cracked a serve into the back of Herbert’s head at 3-3. After Mahut kissed it better, he went on to hold serve, before a shaken Herbert missed a crosscourt backhand volley to concede serve for 4-5. From 0-30, Bolelli served out the opener, sealing it when Herbert netted a low backhand volley.
Controversy in the opening game of the second set arose when Mahut appeared to double-hit a forehand volley winner. The Italians entered into a heated exchange with umpire Carlos Ramos after the point was awarded to the French pair. However, Bolelli was able to put it behind him to level for 1-1.
From there, Mahut dropped serve when Bolelli shanked a backhand return winner. Bolelli brought up match point with an ace down the T, and took it when Herbert sent a return long.
“First of all I want to thank Fabio; I think we play a great week. We never thought before this tournament to come to today”, Bolelli said.
“Our corner, my coach, my wife, Fabio’s team, all the people who support us during the week, all the Italians, thanks to everybody”.
The French pair, bidding to become the first French duo to clinch the Australian Open title since Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro 11 years ago, had never won a tour level match together before the tournament.
“It’s not the best moment of the week, but I think we tried our best today”, Mahut said.
“Obviously was not enough to beat this team. It was our first tournament [Grand Slam] together so I’m pretty sure we’ll have some success”.
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