. (AP) – Bruno Soares ended his return from a match opposed to COVID-19 by earning a name at the US Open.
The Brazilian teamed up with Mate Pavic of Croatia to beat Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Nikola Mektic of Croatia in the men’s doubles final on Thursday 7-5, 6-3.
Soares claimed that the virus had caused mild symptoms and that he had moved away for two weeks before being eliminated, but said the disease had left him a little out of shape and that he had played a game with Pavic before the Open, wasting on the first circular of a prep tournament in New York.
“The only complicated thing is 14 days without doing anything, and then you come here right away,” said Soares, who is 38. “I’m very happy, to be honest, to play here. “
Due to the pandemic, there were no enthusiasts cheering on the champions at the tournament’s first trophy ceremony.
“A difficult year for all, ” said Soares in the empty stands. “I hope we’ll be back to the general soon, but we’re very grateful for everything. “
The men’s doubles Grand Slam names third for Soares, the time for Pavic and his first set. They entered the tournament with a modest overall record of 18-15 since joining forces last year.
“It’s just going to prove that running hard and being patient has been worth it,” said Soares, who also won the US Open title with Jamie Murray in 2016.
Soares and Pavic won by breaking serve once on set. In the first set, Koolhof missed a simple volley that would have forced a tiebreaker, and Soares hit a cross forehand back into the corner for a balance winner to secure the set. .
Pavic threw a winning balloon over fellow Croatian Mektic at half-time to give his team a 4-2 lead in the final set. Pavic served the attack in love.
The champions were lagging behind in each of their first two matches, adding up the round of moments, when they were one set and one break before the rally.
“We’ve had some games,” Pavic said. We’ve been through a few times and we’re very pleased to be here to win the title. “
He and Soares agreed that the absence of enthusiasts diminished their enthusiasm.
“Walking on the court, I had the same goose bump to be back in a definitive Grand Slam,” Soares said. “Win, the same feeling. It’s a situation, but the trophy is the same. This Grand Slam name will be with us forever. “»
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