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In an awe-inspiring display of skill and determination, the formidable duo of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury secured their third tour-level title of the season this Sunday at the prestigious Erste Bank Open. The ATP 500 event witnessed a nail-biting showdown as they meticulously outplayed Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 12-10.
The American-British pair exhibited exceptional synergy on the court, dominating 82% of first-serve points, and showcasing resilience in a tightly contested Match Tie-break. Their relentless pursuit of victory culminated on their fourth match point, concluding the intense battle after one hour and 33 minutes.
With this victory, Ram and Salisbury have now amassed an impressive collection of 12 tour-level trophies, further embellishing their remarkable season with titles in Lyon and the coveted US Open.
Strategic Victory Unveiled
"We maintained a solid game plan and stayed persistent," Ram reflected on their performance.
"If they had managed to best us in that state, it would have simply been a testament to their excellence. They are an incredibly formidable team with a powerful serve. We had to instill in ourselves the confidence that we could at least create an opportunity for victory, and that’s exactly what we did." The dynamic duo has also etched their names in the upcoming Nitto ATP Finals, marking their fifth collaborative appearance at this illustrious year-end tournament.
They aim to recreate their 2022 success in Turin, where they lifted the trophy in triumph. Salisbury expressed his delight, stating, "It’s truly remarkable. Championships are rare treasures in this sport. This is a significant one, and the feeling of making a comeback is surreal.
We clinched victory here five years ago, and returning to seize the title again feels monumental." On the other side of the net, Lammons and Withrow, the American contenders, currently stand at the eighth position in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings.
Having secured four trophies together in 2023, they are on the cusp of making their inaugural appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals. However, adhering to the Grand Slam champion's rule, they must ascend to the seventh position in the Race to secure their ticket to Turin.
