Watch out! Two true legends are stalking again!
Does it still exist, the next big run by Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut? In any case, the two French doubles legends went back together after a long time to hunt for points in Bordeaux.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 20, 2023, 03:17 pm
Given the starts of Jan-Lennard Struff and Dominic Thiem, the attention of German-speaking tennis fans with regard to the ATP Challenger tournament in Bordeaux was certainly more directed towards singles. Well, neither Struff, who failed in the semifinals to Tomas Etcheverry, nor Thiem, who lost to Corentin Moutet in round two, were able to pull through to the end.
Which also applies to a double that has appeared in the tableau out of nowhere. And that definitely deserves a closer look: Because when Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut indulge in pair skating together, great results are almost guaranteed. Herbert kept taking breaks in between - be it because of individual ambitions or a lack of corona vaccination - but the old chemistry may still be there.
Anything is possible in doubles
As a reminder, Pierre-Hugues Herbert has already won 23 doubles titles on the ATP tour, most of them with Nicolas Mahut. The collection also includes wins at all four majors. Mahut has even noted 37 championships in his career record. The two French were last successful together in Montpellier in 2022. And now there are many signs that there will be a joint competition again in Roland Garros.
The chances of another success at the Bois de Boulogne are not bad at all. Because the situation in doubles is absolutely confusing. You don't have to look any further than the Australian Open, where two local heroes, Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler, won the title. In the last few weeks, the oldies Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden have also struck in Indian Wells - or the two individual aces Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov in Madrid. Good prerequisites for the next (and last?) joint hurrah by Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.