PARIS: Daniel Nestor of Canada and Max Mirnyi of Belarus won their first Grand Slam title together by defeating Eduardo Schwank of Argentina and Juan Sebastian Cabal of Colombia 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4 in the French Open final.
It was Nestor’s seventh major title in men’s doubles and Mirnyi’s fifth, all with different partners.
“We knew on paper we’re capable of playing well together,” Mirnyi said. “Up until you produce a result, you never know.”
The second-seeded Nestor and Mirnyi saved three break points in the first set to force a tiebreaker. But the unseeded South American team then jumped to a 3-0 lead and held serve to level at one set apiece.
“Today was a dog fight,” Nestor said. “I thought those guys were playing tough. We were fortunate to win the first set.”
Nestor and Mirnyi clinched victory when Cabal double-faulted on match point.
Cabal and Schwank were playing in their first tournament together. Cabal was making his Grand Slam debut and became the first Colombian man to reach a major final. Schwank reached the Wimbledon and US Open semifinals last year. (AP)
