Mahut adds doubles title to yesterday’s singles victory
July 15, 2013
NEWPORT, R.I. — Nicolas Mahut of France, well known for his ability to endure long matches, won four matches at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships over the past two days to claim both the singles and doubles titles at the tournament. This morning, he partnered with Edouard Roger-Vasselin to claim their fourth title as a team, overcoming the American pairing of Tim Smyczek and Rhyne Williams, 6-7(4), 6-2, 10-5. Yesterday, he defeated Lleyton Hewitt in the singles final. The singles title was Mahut’s second career title, following up a win at the Topshelf Open in June.
“First to win the singles is a big accomplishment,” said Mahut. “To win both in the same week, singles and doubles, it’s amazing. When I look back a month ago, I was ranked 240, then I played the French Open final in doubles, won two titles, won another one in doubles, it’s just a great achievement. I just don’t think I even realize it all yet.”
Due to rain over the weekend, the tournament semifinals were moved from Saturday to Sunday. Mahut played three matches on Sunday – singles and doubles semifinals, and singles final, as well as this morning’s doubles final. In 2010, Mahut famously competed in the longest match in tennis history, when he and John Isner played for 11 hours and 5 minutes at Wimbledon before Isner won.
Mahut is the first player on the ATP World Tour to win both singles and doubles titles at the same event this season. He is the third player in the history of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships to do so (Rajeev Ram in 2009 and Dan Goldie in 1987).
By winning the singles title, Mahut rose 52 spots to in the ATP Emirates Rankings to World No. 75.