SOFIA - 8th to 14th Nov., 2020...DOUBLES

[Jane]

Jamie and Neal, playing Sharan and Zeleney took the first set 6 - 3 :thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

New thread to replace the one Jane started and which cannot be accessed by all forum members.

Please note - if you start a new thread you must not use brackets in the title.
This renders the thread 'forbidden' and we are not always able to correct it.
:thanks:

[suttontennis]

Won round one. Need to reach the final and hope Melzer/Roger-Vasselin don't do the same.

[Sallydaisy]

[2]Jamie Murray/Neal Skupski are playing here and need to reach the Final to gain a place in the London ATP Tour Final event this year. They've won their first match against Sharan/Zelenay and in the QF will play either Albot/Sitak or Hernandez/De Minaur.

Also playing are Jonny O'Mara/Ken Skupski who face WC Donski/Mladenov in R1.

Here is a link to the Sofia main website: https://sofiaopen.bg/?lang=en
ATP information here: https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/sofia/7434/overview

[exislander]

I saw some of their match today - felt after the first set it should have been easier but they had to go to MTB which they won.

[exislander]

Jonny/Ken win 6-3 6-4.

[suttontennis]

[2]Jamie Murray/Neal Skupski are playing here and need to reach the Final to gain a place in the London ATP Tour Final event this year. They've won their first match against Sharan/Zelenay and in the QF will play either Albot/Sitak or Hernandez/De Minaur.

Also playing are Jonny O'Mara/Ken Skupski who face WC Donski/Mladenov in R1.

Here is a link to the Sofia main website: https://sofiaopen.bg/?lang=en
ATP information here: https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/sofia/7434/overview

Play Albot/Sitak

[Hawkeye]

Melzer/Roger-Vasselin have just won their first round match and play O'Mara/Skupski next. Neal will be hoping that Ken can do him a favour...

[suttontennis]

Jamie and Neal now need to win Sofia to make the tour finals, so it won't matter if Melzer&Roger-Vasselin reach the final as well

[Hawkeye]

Unless Melzer/Roger-Vasselin have points to come off, if they make the final they will get 150 points and Jamie and Neal winning the tournament wouldn’t be enough.

[suttontennis]

Unless Melzer/Roger-Vasselin have points to come off, if they make the final they will get 150 points and Jamie and Neal winning the tournament wouldn’t be enough.
Correct, apologies.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/54874210

[harriet]

jamie/neal won 6-4, 6-2 to advance to semi

[Sallydaisy]

jamie/neal won 6-4, 6-2 to advance to semi
one hurdle crossed for now.

[supergran]

:big grin::GBflag:

[Teresa]

Was tracking the Live Scores. Well done to the pair of them.

[Sallydaisy]

Unfortunately, Jonny O'Mara/Ken Skupski lose to J.Melzer/Roger-Vasselin 6-4 6-2.

[Hawkeye]

Murray/Skupski play Martin/Nys in the semis tomorrow, third up, but the second semi between Melzer/Roger-Vasselin and Brkic/Cilic isn't until Friday.

[HoopGirl]

Where can the march be watched?

[exislander]

Where can the march be watched?

The only place I know of to watch the match is bet365. Tennis TV do not usually show doubles in tournaments at this level - and I think Amazon Prime show only what Tennis TV shows.

[exislander]

7-6 first set, Neal played great tiebreak.

[harriet]

Jamie/Neal won 1st set, 7-6 (4)

[exislander]

6-7 set 2

[exislander]

10-4 MTB! Well done guys!

[harriet]

had a good chance to take second set - 0-40 up on Martin/Nys serve at 5-6.
but tb10 was convincing, and now they have a day off?

[Stell]

Well done to Jamie and Neal on making the final and getting to the ATP Finals.

[Hawkeye]

They haven't got to the ATP Finals yet.

[exislander]

Melzer/Roger-Vasselin win 7-5 6-4 to reach the Sofia final - and the ATP Finals.

[Hawkeye]

I imagine Jamie and Neal will be there as alternates.

[suttontennis]

I imagine Jamie and Neal will be there as alternates.

Correct. Somebody could get an injury before or even during. They'll be trying extra hard to beat Melzer and Roger-Vasselin in the Sofia final.

[suttontennis]

They would earn 25000$ as alternates, 68500$ if they take part, and 30000$ for a group match win !

[harriet]

read all about it - on the ATP site https://www.atptour.com/en/news/melzer-roger-vasselin-sofia-2020-doubles-friday

[Sallydaisy]

Jamie Murray/Neal Skupski declared winners of the Sofia title by Walkover.
:trophy:
J.Melzer/E.Roger-Vasselin have pulled out (not yet sure of reason).

According to Steven on Twitter:

meaning both pairs will finish exactly equal on points in the race but the Brits miss out on 8th because they've played more events this year, but ..
i.e. Jamie/Neal missed out on the draw for the ATP Tour Finals. As already mentioned, it's highly likely they'll opt to be the ALT pair so could yet play a match and win points and prizes!

[Teresa]

On live scores they have it that Jamie and Neal have pulled out?

[exislander]

On live scores they have it that Jamie and Neal have pulled out?

Melzer pulled out with shoulder injury so Jamie/Neal won title (their first as a pair) by walkover.

[Sallydaisy]

On live scores they have it that Jamie and Neal have pulled out?
ATP page ...



(2)
https://www.atptour.com/~/media/images/flags/GBR.svg https://www.atptour.com/~/media/images/flags/GBR.svg
Jamie Murray (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/jamie-murray/mc81/overview) Neal Skupski (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/neal-skupski/sl22/overview)
Defeats
(1)
https://www.atptour.com/~/media/images/flags/AUT.svg https://www.atptour.com/~/media/images/flags/FRA.svg
Jurgen Melzer (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/jurgen-melzer/m762/overview) Edouard Roger-Vasselin (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/edouard-roger-vasselin/r613/overview)
(W/O)

[Hawkeye]

I'm sure that the "shoulder injury" is nothing more than an excuse to get to London a day earlier.

[Sallydaisy]

I'm sure that the "shoulder injury" is nothing more than an excuse to get to London a day earlier.
erm, from Stu Fraser on Twitter:

Jurgen Melzer, who yesterday withdrew from today's Sofia Open doubles final because of a shoulder injury, is presently on a practice court at The O2. https://youtube.com/watch?v=EXN66n (https://t.co/fFxSa40FuV?amp=1)