Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo ignited their title challenge at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Treat Huey and Max Mirnyi on Tuesday.
Both partnerships lost their opening Edberg/Jarryd Group contests but the 2014 runners-up enhanced their chances of a semi-final place courtesy of a strong serving display at the O2 arena.
In the first set at 2-1 ATP World Tour veteran Mirnyi, a two-time champion at the season finale, was the first to succumb on serve as Dodig/Melo sent across some rocket returns.
Croatian Dodig served for the opener at 5-4 but on a deuce ‘deciding point’ Huey whipped a forehand passing shot onto the tramline to draw level.
However Dodig/Melo, playing in their final tournament together, illustrated their prowess at the net to immediately break Mirnyi and consolidated their advantage with Melo serving out the set in style.
Dodig drew applause from his partner with a full house of aces to tick the scoreboard over for 3-3 in under 60 seconds.
The resistance from Huey/Mirnyi broke at 4-4 and Dodig closed out victory with more pin point serving.
Dodig/Melo, who clinched back-to-back ATP Masters 1000 titles in Toronto and Cincinnati earlier this campaign, move onto a 26-13 record in their final season together.
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