They were the odd couple of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati: a 20-year-old singles star, Alexander Zverev, who's already won five titles this year, and a 44-year-old doubles legend, Leander Paes, who's captured 54 doubles titles.
The enticing partnership, which played on a packed Court 11, fell short on Tuesday, but they treated fans to a memorable match during their doubles debut. Paes/Zverev fell to Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 2-6, 7-6(2), 10-6.
“I know him quite well. He's a good guy. Unfortunately we lost today but it was fun playing with him,” Zverev said of Paes.
The right-hander said doubles can improve his singles game. “The serve and return helps. You get used to the conditions a little bit more, the match conditions. That's very good. Obviously the volleys improve,” Zverev said.
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But Zverev, who's now No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, said he doesn't plan on playing doubles too often in the near future.
The Spaniards will next meet fourth seeds Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in the second round.
Meanwhile, Sascha’s older brother, Mischa Zverev, paired with Diego Schwartzman to score a first-round win over Nikola Mektic and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, 7-6(2), 3-6, 15-13. The German/Argentine duo saved 10 of the 13 break points they faced to set a second-round clash with second seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo.
Reigning Roland Garros champions Ryan Harrison and Michael Venus advanced to the quarter-finals with a 4-6, 7-6(2), 12-10 win over Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic. They next face either top seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers or Roberto Bautista Agut and David Ferrer.
