Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul Secure First ATP Tour Victory in Chengdu

• Tennis

Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul made a triumphant breakthrough on the ATP Tour, showcasing their resilience and mettle on Tuesday at the Chengdu Open. The French pairing exhibited sheer determination as they battled past the formidable team of Francisco Cabral and Rafael Matos in a gripping three-set encounter, ultimately sealing their maiden ATP Tour title.

In a riveting contest that unfolded over one hour and fifty-two minutes on the courts of China's Sichuan province, Doumbia and Reboul overcame an initial deficit, winning 4-6, 7-5, 10-7 in a high-stakes Match Tie-break. The top-seeded tandem demonstrated their remarkable composure under pressure, successfully fending off five of the six break points that came their way.

This victory not only marked a significant milestone in their careers but also added a prestigious tour-level crown to their illustrious collection of achievements. Doumbia, aged 33, and Reboul, 28, have been a dynamic force on the ATP Challenger Tour since 2019, accumulating an impressive 15 titles together. However, it was this moment in Chengdu that solidified their presence at the pinnacle of men's doubles tennis.

Doumbia and Reboul's Ascent Continues

The French pair's journey to the winner's circle had been a work in progress. In 2022, they came tantalizingly close to clinching a tour-level title, reaching three semi-finals, and the championship match in Cordoba. Their perseverance paid off in Chengdu, where they dropped merely two sets throughout the week, asserting their dominance on the court and boosting their 2023 season record to 23 wins and 17 losses.

Currently occupying the 17th spot in the highly competitive Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings, Doumbia and Reboul have their sights set on the upcoming Astana Open in Kazakhstan. This event offers another opportunity for the pair to sustain their winning momentum as they aspire to make a late charge for qualification to the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals, the ultimate showdown of the season.

As Doumbia and Reboul etch their names in the annals of tennis history, their journey from promising contenders to ATP Tour champions serves as an inspiration to aspiring doubles teams worldwide. The tennis world eagerly awaits their next chapter in Kazakhstan, where they will once again seek to make a resounding impact on the courts and potentially secure their place among the sport's elite.