If history repeats itself next month, Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau will soon have their third Grand Slam title as a team.
Rojer/Tecau repeated as doubles champions at the Winston-Salem Open on Friday, becoming the first team to do so in the tournament’s eight-year history. The Dutchman/Romanian team beat American Jamie Cerretani and Indian Leander Paes 6-4, 6-2.
The second seeds saved all four break points en route to their 18th team doubles title (18-4 in finals) and second of the season (Dubai).
“Overall it was a good week. Horia and I came in here looking for some matches. We were lucky enough to play four matches this week so that was the main thing that we were after. So in that sense it was a big success. To win, of course, is always positive,” Rojer said.
The win should give the team, and especially Tecau, a jolt of belief ahead of the US Open, which begins Monday. Before earlier this month at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Tecau hadn’t played since 26 March because of a right foot injury.
“A few weeks ago I had no expectations of winning titles. I’m just very grateful that I’m healthy and can play the game again… I feel like the game is sharpening up and it’s getting towards where I want it,” Tecau said. “It’s really a fulfilling feeling to get a title after so many months of break and also a boost of confidence going into New York.”
Last year, Rojer/Tecau followed up their Winston-Salem title with their first US Open crown and second Grand Slam title (Wimbledon 2015). Perhaps they’ll again face Cerretani/Paes in Flushing Meadows? Rojer/Tecau also beat them for the Dubai crown.
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