Tennis Announcer. Andy Taylor. The Voice of the US Open
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Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau def Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 64 63
For the second time this year, 2015 Wimbledon Champions Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau defeated 2016 French Open Champions Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez. In Rotterdam, Rojer won his 300th career tour-level match. On Friday afternoon, he captured his second Grand Slam Doubles Title.
Rojer and Tecau played big in the key moments. Down a break, 3-4 in the first, the pair won three consecutive games, breaking both Marc and Feliciano to steal the set. After the first changeover in the second, they broke Marc again; then held the rest of the way for a straight-sets victory, capturing their second Grand Slam Title together.
Inspirational words from Jean Julien Rojer
After the win, Jules was asked about his shirt, emblazoned with the Statue of Liberty. Here’s what he said:
“…a friend of mine makes these clothes for me to play in. We went with the ‘Lady Liberty’ on the front, and most of my jackets and everything that I have has a peace sign on the back. And really, the idea came after the tragic incident in Charlottesville. We came up with this line promoting peace and freedom and liberty. I’ve been wearing it all around. I have the Lady Liberty jacket, and I have another one that has a bunch of people locked in arms in a Civil Rights march. Yeah – hopefully we’re moving in that direction. I have to say, I’ve been here since I was 12-years-old. It’s a great country. I’m happy that they let me in and that I got to do my job here. So hopefully it will create these opportunities for everybody.”
Both teams deserved the win.
Rojer and Tecau took-out the top-seeds in the Semifinals. Feliciano and Marc eliminated the legendary Bryan Brothers in Bob and Mike’s home Slam. Career achievements on both sides are mind boggling.
Rojer and Tecau: 2nd Grand Slam title (2015 Wimbledon Champions). The win marks their 4th title of 2017. It’s their 16th overall doubles title together in 20 career Finals. That’s an 80% winning percentage in championship matches. Individually, it was Rojer’s 25th career title and 40th Final, Tecau’s 33rd title and 51st Final.
Lopez and Lopez: 2nd Grand Slam Final (2016 Roland Garros Champions). They own two titles together, in five Finals. Feliciano is a four time Davis Cup Champion, an Olympic Bronze medalist (2012 Doubles), and has appeared in 14 career doubles Finals. Marc earned Olympic Gold last year with Rafael Nadal, owns 13 Doubles Titles, and has now appeared in 32 career Finals.
[12] Jean-Julian Rojer and Horia Tecau’s Road to the Title:
- FF: def [11] Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 64 63
- SF: def [1] Henri Kontinen and John Peers 16 76(5) 75
- QF: def [4] Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares 61 62
- R3: def [6] Ivan Dodog and Marcel Granollers 64 63
- R2: def Hyeon Chung and Yen-Hsun Lu 63 62
- R1: def Damir Dzumhur and Dusan Lajovic 76(5) 67(4) 63
[11] Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez’s Road to the Final:
- FF: lost [12] Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau 46 36
- SF: def [5] Bob and Mike Bryan 36 63 64
- QF: def Robin Haase and Matwe Middelkoop 64 75
- R3: def Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin 64 76(5)
- R2: def Adrian Mannarino and Andreas Seppi 63 62
- R1: def Andre Begeman and Divij Sharan 64 64
