DOMINIC INGLOT and AISAM-ul-HAQ QURESHI became a smash hit at the New York Open, clinching the doubles title on Sunday (16), with a tight 7-6(5), 7-6(6) win over the American pair of Steve Johnson add Reilly Opelka.
This is the British-Pakistani duo’s first ATP Tour doubles title. They started playing at the start of this year and finished runners-up last week in Montpellier (losing to Cacic/Pavic). This is the 14th tour-level doubles title for Inglot and the 18th for Qureshi.
“They put up an absolute fight and it’s never over until it’s over. We were panicking when they kept breaking us, so pulling this out means a lot,” said Inglot.
“Aisam and I had a tough week losing in the final last week, so I’m glad we were able to make it one step further here.”
The British-Pakistani team earned their first championship point at 6/5 in the second-set tie-break, but Johnson erased it with a forehand volley winner. With the score tied at 6/6, Johnson sent a forehand passing shot just wide and a big serve from Inglot wrapped up play after one hour and 34 minutes.
Inglot and Qureshi picked up 250 FedEx ATP Doubles Rankings points and split $40,690.
