Nikola Mektic and Alexander Peya won their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title as a team at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday, prevailing over second seeds Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan 5-3 after Bob Bryan was forced to retire with a hip injury.
"Very mixed emotions right now," said Peya. "We are very happy that we won the tournament, but it is not the way you want it to end. I think we played a great match until that moment."
The Croatian-Austrian duo began the championship match with an immediate break of the serve in the opening game, and maintained their lead through eight games with comfortable service holds. When serving at 3-5, Bob Bryan landed awkwardly and, after receiving medical attention, played one further point before retiring.
"It is a win, we deserved it," said Mektic. "But it is not as sweet as it could have been if we had played the whole match.".
Mektic and Peya, who began their partnership this year, have now won two tour-level titles (Marrakech, Madrid) from five finals. It is Mektic’s fourth doubles trophy and first at Masters 1000 level, while Peya has now lifted 17 titles with three at this level. Peya lifted two Masters 1000 trophies with Bruno Soares at the Rogers Cup in 2013 and 2014.
Bryan/Bryan were attempting to become the oldest World No. 1s. in ATP Doubles Rankings history by winning a record 39th Masters 1000 event. The American twins have reached the final at all four Masters 1000 events this year (2-2), finishing runner-up at Indian Wells before triumphing in Miami and Monte-Carlo.
Mektic and Peya receive 1000 ATP Doubles Ranking points and share €368,670 in prize money for winning the tournament. Bryan and Bryan gain 600 points and will split €180,490.