Qatar Open: Rohan Bopanna and Wesley Koolhof win doubles title in Doha

Third seeds Bopanna and Koolhof defeated the British-Mexican pair of Luke Bambridge and Santiago Gonzalez 3-6, 6-2, 10-6 in the summit clash to win the first doubles title of the season.

Doha: India's Rohan Bopanna and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands clinched the men's doubles final title at the Qatar Open after registering a hard-fought win over the unseeded duo of Luke Bambridge and Santiago Gonzalez in Doha on Friday.

Third seeds Bopanna and Koolhof defeated the British-Mexican pair 3-6, 6-2, 10-6 in the summit clash to win the first doubles title of the season and picked up 250 ATP points along with the $76,870 prize money.

Rohan Bopanna and Wesley Koolhof win Qatar Open

“It is nice when you get that success immediately,” said Bopanna. “I am really happy that I got this opportunity to come to Doha to play for the very first time. I’ve always played in India. When Wes was available, especially after such a successful 2019, it was a nice opportunity for me to play with him… It is good to start off the year with a title.”

“In my off-season, I must be doing something pretty well,” said Bopanna. “I don’t know what it is, but if anybody wants their first title, come to India and train with Bopanna in the off-season. That’s the secret.”

“Last year, I won in Brisbane and three years ago I won in the second week in Sydney,” said Koolhof. “I am always starting off the season well, so I think it is time for holidays again.”

This victory improves Bopanna and Koolhof’s impressive individual records at the start of ATP Tour seasons. This is the third time in four years that both men have claimed titles in the opening week (also in 2017 and in 2019).