Grangeiro-Wilkinson cruised through the first set and were up 3-0 in the second. Even umpire David Lee thought the match was going to be a short one. The #6 seeds had something else in mind. They adjusted their volleys and drives and tied it at 4-4. Two more breaks of serves to be tied at 5-5 again. A very quick break of serve gave Grangeiro the chance to serve for the match. After two hours of high quality paddle, the #1 seeds celebrated a hard fought and well deserved win.
On their way to the final, the champions had two very close matches: Mikk Irdoja and Dan Regan in the round of 32s and Scott Estes and Nathan LeFevre in the quarter finals. Both matches went the distance and finished with the Brazilian-English duo prevailing 6-4 in the third. In the semis they beat Martin Bostrom and Max LePivert (3) 6-2, 6-4.
Mavrin-Misitrano battled it out in the quarters for 2.5 hrs to defeat the Patterson Grand Prix champions Steve Derose and Jon Lubow (2) by scores of 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-2. The second set tie-breaker had many very long points, one of them that lasted over five minutes. Their next match was defending champion Johan Du Randt and first time partner Nathan Healey. Healey, a former ATP pro with a doubles career high of 58, seemed to have a tough time trying to adjust to the pace of the match. Scores of 6-0, 6-3 gave Mavrin-Misitrano their ticket to the final.
Next stop for most teams will be the Long Island Invitational, the third stop of the Grand Prix Series. Du Randt-Parsons will be back playing together and Bostrom-LePivert may play together one more time. However, the team to beat will certainly be Grangeiro-Wilkinson.
Click HERE to access all draws and results.
