At the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome, the doubles competition will again be held in the classic format. A few prominent individual players are still at the start.
by Jens Huiber
last edited: May 9, 2024, 7:50 p.m
© Getty Images
Alexander Zverev and Marcelo Melo in Monte Carlo a few weeks ago
The double competition in Madrid was a compact five-day event and the line-up wasn’t bad. And with Sebastian Korda and Jordan Thompson, two primarily individual players also won the title. Almost as desired by the ATP, one might think. Pair skating is supposed to be pumped up.
In Rome the experimental phase has come to an end again and the procedure is conventional. A few single greats have still arranged to meet up for a double. Like Alexander Bublik and Ben Shelton, two young men who are fun to watch at work in any competition. Which also applies to Frances Tiafoe and Félix Auger-Aliassime. Unfortunately, these four already met in round one. With a better ending for Bublik and Shelton.
The shared experience is also over for Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz; the two Americans lost to Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Francisco Cerundolo. Other couples with prominent individual appearances: Alex de Minaur competes with Alexei Popyrin, Alejandro Davidovic-Fokina with Arthur Fils.
Zverev starts with a narrow victory
Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas did things a little differently. Zverev plays in the familiar style with Marcelo Melo – and is already in the round of 16 with his partner after a dramatic win against Neal Skupski and Austin Krajicek. Tsitsipas, in turn, has arranged to meet Robin Haase. The Dutchman was once also good for singles tournament victories on the ATP tour. Haase has long since dedicated himself exclusively to doubles.
By the way, the Madrid champions Korda and Thompson are trying again in Rome, of course implemented. And with a big challenge – because Rajeev Rom and Joe Salisbury have been one of the best couples in the world for years.
Here is the double tableau in Rome
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