Spanish-Argentine team make it fourth time lucky in a Grand Slam final
©Jean-Charles Caslot / FFTGranollers/Zeballos (5) bt Salisbury/Skupski (8) 6-0, 6-7(5), 7-5
It was more than worth the wait.
Marcel Granollers first featured in a Grand Slam men’s doubles final at Roland-Garros 2014 with Marc Lopez. In total, the towering Spaniard collected five runners-up plates from his five major finals.
His partner, Horacio Zeballos, experienced his own share of major heartache too, losing three Grand Slam finals alongside Granollers between 2019 and 2023.
But all that pain was completely erased in Paris on Saturday night as Granollers and Zeballos inched past British duo Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski for their maiden Grand Slam title.
It couldn’t have been a much better start for the No.5 seeds.
Zeballos picked off a volley winner, then Granollers picked off a volley winner - they were razor sharp combining for an instant break.
Their serving was pin-point, their net play was calculated and aggressive, it was pretty much a perfect set to surge ahead 6-0.
Salisbury and Skupski have both lifted major silverware though and used that wealth of experience to dig in.
Skupski’s reflexes at the net were astonishing at times, managing to deflect a barrage of close-range Zeballos forehands to escape danger at 2-2. The Brits were fired up and then found the answers during a tight tiebreak to force a third set.
Zeballos’ heroics at 3-3 in the decider saved their title tilt. The No.5 seeds were two break points down and the Argentine was sent out wide to his right. The 40-year-old skimmed a spectacular backhand around the net post - only a few inches off the ground - for a 'highlight reel' moment.
Again it was the lefty Zeballos who played lights out tennis at 5-4, with a Rafael Nadal-style hooked forehand winner sending the Spanish-Argentine combo on course to claim the final three games.
It was extremely poignant that during the trophy ceremony their opponents were delighted on their behalf, despite the narrow defeat.
Skupski hailed the winners having the “tennis Gods looking down on you, and rightly so, you’re some of the best guys on tour.”
Salisbury added: “You’ve been an amazing team for so many years, I’m really happy for you guys. If we were going to lose this final to anyone, then it would be to you.”
Strong serving laid the foundations for victory. The duo, who both topped the doubles rankings last May, landed 77 of 95 first serves. They won 71 per cent of those points and were only broken once during the entire clash.
Granollers owns the most Roland-Garros doubles wins among active players, becoming the 12th man to record 40 doubles victories at this event in the Open era.
Zeballos, at 40 years and one month, follows Rohan Bopanna (43), Jean-Julien Rojer (40), Mike Bryan (40) and Leander Paes (40) as the only men to win a Grand Slam doubles title in the Open era after turning 40 years.
Zeballos: “Of course I have to say thank you to my partner. We’ve been playing together for a long time, having fun and trying to give our best every day for this.
“I played two times on this court. One was in 2010 against Rafa [Nadal won 6-2, 6-2, 6-3] so you probably know how that ends, then today. So imagine how beautiful it will be to tell my kids this tomorrow when I see them and about these beautiful moments on this beautiful court.”
Granollers: “Thanks to my partner too, for enjoying with me, for suffering with me, I’m very happy to win this title with you."
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
