Kontinen and Peers retain ATP Finals doubles crown
Tennis - ATP World Tour Finals - The O2 Arena, London, Britain - November 19, 2017 Finland's Henri Kontinen and Australia's John Peers celebrate winning the doubles final against Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Brazil's Marcelo Melo with the trophy Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien
LONDON (Reuters) - Finland's Henri Kontinen and Australian partner John Peers won the doubles title at the ATP Finals for the second year running when they beat world number one duo Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6-4 6-2 on Sunday.
Kontinen and Peers lost their opening round-robin match but went on to become the first pair to win back-to-back titles at the season-ender since Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in 2003-2004.
It was the fifth title of the year for Kontinen and Peers, including their first grand slam triumph together at the Australian Open.
Tennis - ATP World Tour Finals - The O2 Arena, London, Britain - November 19, 2017 Finland's Henri Kontinen and Australia's John Peers pose with the trophy after winning the doubles final against Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Brazil's Marcelo Melo Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien
Kontinen and Peers looked dangerous from the start and once they managed the first break at 2-2 they took control. They lost only one point on first serve throughout the 70-minute contest.
Poland's Kubot and Brazil's Melo, who beat Kontinen and Peers in the Wimbledon semi-finals before winning the title, never looked like forcing their way back into the match.
Tennis - ATP World Tour Finals - The O2 Arena, London, Britain - November 19, 2017 Finland's Henri Kontinen and Australia's John Peers celebrate winning the doubles final against Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Brazil's Marcelo Melo Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Tennis - ATP World Tour Finals - The O2 Arena, London, Britain - November 19, 2017 Finland's Henri Kontinen and Australia's John Peers celebrate winning the doubles final against Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Brazil's Marcelo Melo Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'BrienTennis - ATP World Tour Finals - The O2 Arena, London, Britain - November 19, 2017 Finland's Henri Kontinen and Australia's John Peers celebrate winning the doubles final against Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Brazil's Marcelo Melo Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'BrienTennis - ATP World Tour Finals - The O2 Arena, London, Britain - November 19, 2017 Finland's Henri Kontinen and Australia's John Peers celebrate winning the doubles final against Poland's Lukasz Kubot and Brazil's Marcelo Melo Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien
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