Top-seeded Colombian pair of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah created history on Friday by defeating Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina in straight sets to win the men’s doubles title at the US Open.
After becoming the first players from their nation to lift a men’s doubles Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July, the top seeds became the first South American pairing in the Open Era to win the US Open with a 6-4, 7-5 victory against Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in a match that lasted for 91 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Colombian pair have become just the third men’s doubles team since 2003 to win both Wimbledon and the US Open in a single season.
The reigning Wimbledon champions committed 32 winners to just 8 unforced errors, while Granollers/Zeballos combined to hit 23 winners to just 8 unforced errors.
During the trophy ceremony, Farah spoke about Roberto Cocheteux — one of the foremost supporters and sponsors of tennis in Colombia — who had passed away right before the tournament.
“We couldn’t go to his burial because we had to stay here,” Farah said, while Cabal held his tears as per the ATP Tour’s official website. “It was very tough for us, and so we said we would dedicate this tournament to him, and there’s no better way to dedicate (a tournament) than to win it.”
“We’re living a dream. It was really difficult times two weeks ago. We made a decision to fight for it, to play for him and we honour him right now. We’re happy we can do this for him, and hopefully, he is in the sky watching us,” added Cabal.
(With agency inputs)