There have been some amazing doubles matches throughout 2016, here we are going to separate the best from the rest.
In doubles you need good communication, reflexes and good understanding of the mechanics of a good doubles match. You need to know when your going to make your move at the net and when to attack and defend. Are you going to be a defensive team or an attacking team? Also knowing your partner’s game is essential in order to become a successful team. We are going to look at the ten best doubles matches of 2016 and how this year’s world class doubles teams use the above attributes to put in such spectacular matches. So let’s get to our countdown…
10. Oliver Marach and Fabrice Martin def Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan – 3-6 7-6(7) [13-11] – Delray Beach Final
We start our countdown with a classic ATP world tour final between Olivier Marach and Fabrice Martin of Austria and France taking on the best team of all time Bob and Mike Bryan of the USA, you will see the twins a lot in this countdown. This was a fantastic match which saw both teams pushed to their limits. Marach/Martin, who would go onto win two doubles titles took the match to the American twins and even beat them at their own game. After saving match point in the second set tiebreak and going down 9-5 in the champions tiebreak, they came back to win 13-11 in the final set and become the champions. It was the first of many signs that the Bryan brothers showed they were vulnerable in 2016.
9. Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan def Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco – 6-3 5-7 [10-8]- Indian Wells First Round
Once again we are talking about the Bryan Brothers in a classic match, this time they took on Spanish singles specialists, Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco. It was a classic late night match which saw an electric Californian crowd stay up late to see this epic doubles match. Both teams produced hot shots to stun the local crowd however it was the Bryan Brothers who had the momentum in the final set tiebreak and managed to edge out the thrilling match. This was a confidence booster for the American twins, while the Spaniard’s would go on to have some success themselves especially Nadal who will appear later on in the countdown.
8. Henri Kontinen and John Peers def Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram – 2-6 6-1 [10-8] – ATP World Tour Finals, Final
At number eight in our countdown is the final match of the 2016 season that took place in London between Henri Kontinen and John Peers taking on Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram. It was a big serving and big hitting affair which saw both team dominate in their respective sets. The final set saw both teams produce their very best tennis in a tense and tight match, however Raven Klaasen’s mistake allowed the Finnish-Australian pair to make history and win the season ending championship. Klaasen was in tears after the match as he brought the 2016 season to a Dissapointing end for him. However Kontinen and Peers deserved the victory as they proved to be the hottest team in the last few months of the season, and will be the team to watch in 2017.
7. Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock def Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez – 4-6 6-3 [12-10] – Indian Wells, Semi Finals
Number seven on our countdown was a controversial contest between Canada’s Vasek Pospisil and USA’ Jack Sock taking on Spaniard’s Feliciano and Marc Lopez (unrelated). The match saw a perfect difference in styles with attack v defence. It was a great match which saw high entertainment for the crowd, and the match was decided by an umpiring decision which saw Marc Lopez go crazy over. This would swing the match in the North American duo’s favour and they took the match 12-10 in the tiebreak. Despite Marc Lopez not being happy with Carlos Bernades it was a classic semifinal and will be remembered as one of the best doubles matches of the season.
6. Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig def Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Nicolas Mahut – 7-6(6) 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 – Davis Cup, Semi Finals
Number six on the list sees the anticipated doubles rubber between Croatia and France take place. It was a match that had a lot on the line with both teams knowing that a win would give their team the advantage for taking their place in the Davis Cup final. The quality of the match was at a high aggressive standard with the Croatian pair edging out their French opponents in four sets. Croatia would advance into the final, while French duo Herbert and Mahut would see their doubles standard slip in the second half of the season. The atmosphere and the aggressive doubles play is one of the main reasons for this match making the list.
5. Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez def Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan – 6-4 6-7(6) 6-3 – Roland Garros, Final
Making it into our top five, is the Roland Garros final between Feliciano and Marc Lopez as they took on the Bryan Brothers. The match provided the Parisian crowd with great clay court tennis, with the defensive team taking on the volleyers and more aggressive style of play. The slow surface favoured the Spaniard’s as they fought off a comeback from their American opponents to win their first grand slam. It was nothing short of a grand slam classic and here are some highlights of why this match reached number five on my list:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvTBk8oQt0Y
4. Eduoard Roger-Vasselin and Nenad Zimonjic def Bob and Mike Bryan – 4-6 6-1 [14-12] – Indian Wells, Quarter Finals
Number four on the countdown is the Indian Wells Quarterfinal between Eduord Roger-Vasselin and Julien Benneteau as they beat Bob and Mike Bryan. This was another classic match involving the Bryan Brothers and they looked to be in control of the match when they were 9-2 ahead in the final set tiebreak. However the French-Serbian pair saved eight match points and pulled the comeback of the year to advance into the semifinals. It was a classic example of the American duo showing their vulnerability on the tennis court and their opponents taking advantage. It was one of the best matches of the year, and makes a well deserved place on this list.
3. Julian Benneteau and Eduoard Roger-Vasselin def Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares – 6-4 6-4 6-7(11) 6-7(1) 10-8 – Wimbledon, Semi Finals
Onto the top three now and at our bronze medal position is the Wimbledon Semifinal, where French duo Julian Benneteau and Eduoard Roger-Vasselin won a classic and thrilling contest against Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares. Despite going two sets up the British-Brazilian pair grabbed two tight tiebreaks to pull themselves back into the match. The match pushed both teams to dig into their energy reserves and it was Murray and Soares who couldn’t hold their nerve and the French duo won the last set ten games to eight. This was a classic example of a thrilling grass court contest which entertained the London crowd and as a result will go down as one of the best matches of the year.
2. Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares def Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek – 2-6 6-4 7-5 – Australian Open, Final
Runners up on our contest sees the Australian Open final between Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares win their first grand slam as a pair as they defeated Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek. It was a match of big serving and great shot making by all four men on the court. However in the end after 2 hours and 19 minutes it was Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares who won an enthralling contest. Murray and Soares went on to win another grand slam and become the number one team in the world, this match was a benchmark of what they could achieve and that is why it is on the list.
1. Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez def Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau – 6-2 3-6 6-4 – Olympic, Final
So number one on our list is the Olympic final as Spain took on Romania. Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez took on Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau in a tense affair. The Spaniard’s started out strong outpowering their opposition. However the Romanians started to gain control and were a break up in the final set. However Marc Lopez used his insane lobbing skills to gain momentum and before you know it they were Olympic champions. It was a tense and atmospheric occasion which typified the Olympic and doubles spirit and for this reason it goes on top of the list as the best doubles match of 2016.
So that was our ten best doubles matches of 2016, We can’t wait for what classic matches 2017 has to bring. We look forward to Australia on New Years Day.
