Background and Significance of the Players
Marcel Granollers, a 39-year-old Spanish tennis player, and Horacio Zeballos, a 40-year-old Argentine player, have been a formidable doubles team for years. With nine ATP Masters 1000 titles under their belts, including a victory in Madrid in May, they finally conquered a Grand Slam at Roland Garros.
Granollers, a regular member of Spain’s Davis Cup team, and Zeballos have been playing together for a long time, building a strong partnership based on mutual respect and enjoyment of the game. Their success is a testament to their dedication, skill, and ability to perform at the highest level.
The Road to Victory
Consistent Performance and Recent Success
The duo entered Roland Garros with confidence, having won 15 out of their last 18 clay-court tournaments. As the fifth seeds, they dominated their opponents, securing a straightforward first set victory.
Tight Second Set and Tie-break
The second set brought more evenly matched play, with both teams defending their serves until a tense tie-break. The British pair of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski emerged victorious in the tie-break, putting pressure on Granollers and Zeballos.
Decisive Third Set
The third set saw the Argentine-Spanish duo break their opponents’ serve twice, setting up an exciting conclusion. The match ended with a score of 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), and 7-5 in favor of Granollers and Zeballos.
Emotional Celebration
After two hours and 22 minutes of intense competition, Granollers and Zeballos lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires, ending their three-year streak of semifinal eliminations.
“I played against Rafa (Nadal) here in 2010 and lost, but today it was different. I take one of the best moments of my career,” said an emotional Zeballos during the trophy presentation.
“Thank you to my partner; we’ve played together for a long time and enjoy it. Let’s keep going!” he added.
“We’ve struggled together, thank you partner. I’m very happy; it’s a great moment,” Granollers responded, reflecting on their shared journey.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos? They are a successful doubles tennis team from Spain and Argentina, respectively. Granollers is 39 years old, and Zeballos is 40.
- What is the significance of their Roland Garros victory? After years of success in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, Granollers and Zeballos finally won a Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, marking their fourth Grand Slam final appearance.
- What was the score of their final match? The score was 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), and 7-5 in favor of Granollers and Zeballos.
- What did the players say after their victory? Both Granollers and Zeballos expressed their emotion and gratitude for their long-standing partnership, calling it one of the best moments in Zeballos’ career.
