ATP Kitzbuhel: Austin Krajicek, Franko Skugor stun No. 1 seeds to lift doubles title

No. 4 seeds Austin Krajicek and Franko Skugor made it all the way together at the Generali Open after surprising top-seeded Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in the Kitzbuhel doubles final. 

Krajicek and Skugor came up big in the key moments of the match as they edged out Granollers and Zeballos in two tight sets 7-6 (5) 7-5 to claim their maiden team title. 

Granollers and Zeballos blew a great chance to start the match on a perfect way as Krajicek and Skugor saved three consecutive break points in the opening game.

In the third game, Krajicek and Skugor saved one more break points, before they failed to convert any of their first two break points in the following game.

Krajicek and Skugor failed to convert one more break point in the eighth game but then saved two more break points in the following game.

Krajicek and Skugor failed to realize a set point in the 12th game on Granollers and Zeballos' serve but converted their second set point in the tie-break to win a tight opener.

The second set started with three consecutive breaks of serve as Krajicek and Skugor led 2-1 after the opening three games of the second set.

But in the sixth game Granollers and Zeballos broke back Krajicek and Skugor to level the set at three games apiece. 

Krajicek and Skugor broke Granollers and Zeballos in the ninth game but then failed to convert any of their two match points in the following game. 

However, Krajicek and Skugor kept their focus as they broke Granollers and Zeballos for the fourth time in the set in the 11th game. 

Serving second time for the match, Krajicek and Skugor showed better focus and managed to close out the match. 

Krajicek and Skugor pretty happy after the final 

Krajicek and Skugor, who made the Auckland semifinal in their team debut earlier this season, kicked off the season restart with an early title.

Krajicek couldn't hide his happiness as he was extremely happy with the way he and Skugor performed throughout the week.

"It has been an awesome week," Krajicek said, per the ATP website. “It was a great way for us to start the clay-court season and we are working hard as a team. I think it is coming together a little bit, so hopefully we can keep going in Rome and at Roland Garros.”

Skugor added: "It was a very strange match with a lot of breaks, but I still thought the quality was pretty good. We were all returning very good. There were a lot of ups and downs, but I am happy we managed to win this one."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Rnlubg