Fourth seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares required 80 minutes to clinch their first US Open doubles crown after crushing Spain’s Pablo Carreno-Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-3, in the final.
On a sweltering day at Flushing Meadows where all players struggled to cope with the humid conditions, Murray and Soares experienced their only threat in the first game of the match when they dropped serve before breaking back immediately. From then onwards it was a one-way show as the British-Brazilian team broke their opponents three consecutive times to stroll to their second grand slam title together after the Australian Open earlier this year.
“It feels amazing.” Soares told British Eurosport. “Our first win was in Australia so to be able to win another one (grand slam) in the same year is insane.”
Superb! Here’s how Jamie Murray matched Andy’s three Grand Slam titles! #USOpen https://t.co/hfXFyEkwxb
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 10 September 2016
Murray’s and Soares’ run to the major title comes after both players have endured heartbreak at the tournament in previous years. Soares had to settle for runner-up with his partner Alexander Paya in 2013. Meanwhile, Murray suffered disappointment in the 2015 final with Australia’s John Peers.
The triumph in New York is a historic milestone for both players. Murray is the first British player to win the US Open doubles title since 1972 and Soares is the first player ever from Brazil to win the trophy. It is an impressive accomplishment for a team who only played together for the first time at the start of this year.
“It’s our first year together, we’re having a great time on the court.” Soares said. ”We saved the best till last and are now going home with the trophy.”
During their US Open campaign, the pair also defeated top seeds Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the semifinals. On route to the final, Murray and Sores dropped just three sets in the entire tournament.
“These tournaments are the hardest to win,” said Murray.
“I’ve got a great partner in Bruno, who makes a lot of returns for me and long may it continue.”
In the world rankings, Murray will remain fourth in the world, however, Soares will rise three places to fifth. The US Open is the first tournament that the two have won together on the tour outside of Australia.
