Dubai: Defending champions and second seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau will face the Indo-American pairing of Leander Paes and Jamie Cerretani in the doubles final of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open on Saturday.
While Rojer and Tecau eased their way to a 7-5, 6-3 win over third-seeded Ivan Dodig and Rajeev Ram, the 44-year-old Paes teamed up with the 36-year-old American to whiz past Filip Krajinovic and Damir Dzumhur 6-4, 6-2 in 66 minutes and book their place for Saturday’s final.
With rain delaying play for considerable time, the second doubles semi-finals could only get under way after 10.30 pm. Paes and Cerretani seemed to be in a hurry as a couple of breaks saw the Indo-American power clear 4-0. But Krajinovic and Dzumhur staged a minor comeback to trail 3-4 till Paes served out for the first set.
The second too went the same way with Paes and Cerretani rushing to a 4-0 cushion. After that the wild cards kept it plain, simple and disciplined to walk away with the set and match in an hour and six minutes.
Paes was appreciative of the crowd staying back close to midnight and support his attempt for a third doubles crown in Dubai. “This win is for you all for staying so late in the night to support us,” Paes told the centre court crowd.
“The key tonight was teamwork. Sometimes Jamie holds up the team and at times I do. But in the end it is about both of us fighting together till the end,” he added.
Paes and Cerretani will take on second seeds and defending champions Rojer and Tecau in Saturday’s final. “They are a really good team, and even though we have practiced with them in the past, this is the first time that we will be playing against both of them together,” Paes related.
“I think we’ve got a great opportunity to win a title in only our second tournament together as a pair,” he added.
RESULTS
Doubles semi-finals: Jean-Julien Rojer/Horia Tecau bt Ivan Dodig/Rajeev Ram 7-5, 6-3.
Jamie Cerretani/Leander Paes bt Damir Dzumhur/Filip Krajinovic 6-4, 6-2.
SATURDAY ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
(Start at 5 pm) Doubles final: Jean-Julien Rojer/Horia Tecau vs Jamie Cerretani/Leander Paes.
(Start at 7 pm) Singles final: Lucas Pouille vs Roberto Bautista Agut.