Wesley Koolhof/Matwe Middelkoop were the last doubles team accepted into the doubles draw at the Apia International Sydney, but leave as the last pair standing. They scored the biggest win of their careers on Saturday by defeating top seeds and defending champion Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares 6-3, 7-5 in the final.
“We were ready to go play a Challenger in Canberra,” said Koolhof. “We got in, played amazing matches. The emotions are just happiness and joy at the moment. It’s an amazing week.”
The win gives Koolhof/Middelkoop their third ATP World Tour doubles title, having previously prevailed this past season in Sofia and Kitzbuhel. They have also excelled on the ATP Challenger Tour, racking up 11 titles in the past two years.
“Some things are so automatic with us. I know exactly when and where he’s putting each ball,” said Middelkoop. “That’s the whole thing about doubles. You need to know blindly where you’re going and we’ve mastered this with ourselves.”
The Dutch pairing saved all three break points against them in the contest. Koolhof/Middelkoop required just a single break of serve in each set to wrap up the win in 74 minutes. The victory also snapped the 13-match win streak in Australia that Murray/Soares had built.
Koolhof/Middelkop earn 250 Emirates ATP Doubles Team Ranking points for their efforts and split $23,690. Murray/Soares pick up 150 Emirates ATP Doubles Ranking points and split $12,450.