Ryan Harrison and Michael Venus got off to a winning start in Group Eltingh/Haarhuis at the Nitto ATP Finals on Sunday by denting the aspirations of Henri Kontinen and John Peers, who are vying to become year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Rankings. Eighth seeds Harrison and Venus, this year’s Roland Garros champions and making their debuts at The O2 this week, defeated second seeds Kontinen and Peers 6-4, 7-6(8) in 90 minutes. Peers came under extreme pressure in his first three service games – resulting in deciding deuce points on each occasion. Harrison and Venus got their reward on Peers' serve at 4-4, when Kontinen hit a forehand volley into the net. Harrison and Venus continued...
Michael Venus shows the volleying prowess that helped take him and Ryan Harrison to victory over Kontinen/Peers in the first round-robin doubles match of the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals. Watch the Nitto ATP Finals live on TennisTV.com
Roland Garros champions Ryan Harrison and Michael Venus will cap off their season at the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, becoming the fifth team to qualify for the season-ending tournament, to be held from 12-19 November at The O2 in London. Harrison and Venus are currently No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Race To London, but claimed the spot reserved for the highest-ranked Grand Slam champion that may finish outside the top seven, but no lower than 20th. The winners of the season’s other three majors – Henri Kontinen/John Peers, Lukasz Kubot/Marcelo Melo and Jean-Julien Rojer/Horia Tecau – have already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, along with Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares. Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan qualified later on Friday as well....
Michael Venus and Ryan Harrison scored their first Grand Slam titles on Saturday at Roland Garros, prevailing in a marathon battle of unseeded teams. They edged Santiago Gonzalez and Donald Young 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3 in two hours and 14 minutes. “You always dream of winning a Grand Slam every time you're playing as a kid. You idolize people you see winning Grand Slams. You picture yourself in those moments, so it hasn't really sunk in yet. It feels a little surreal,” said Harrison. “It's even more special that we're able to do it alongside each other because he's like a brother. He's been a part of my family. He taught me how to drive. He was someone who was there...
Ryan Harrison and Michael Venus moved into their first Grand Slam final on Friday at Roland Garros, continuing their inspired play with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over 16th seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah. Awaiting them in the final are Santiago Gonzalez and Donald Young, who prevailed on Thursday over Fernando Verdasco and Nenad Zimonjic. There is guaranteed to be both an American and a first-time Grand Slam winner on Saturday. Harrison had never reached a Grand Slam semi-final prior to this fortnight, while Venus had never reached the last eight at a major. The American-Kiwi pairing has already enjoyed success this year by taking the doubles title last month in Estoril. Harrison has won three ATP World...
