A dream-like week at the Erste Bank Open found a sensational end for Austrias top doubles pairing Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler. In front of a packed Wiener Stadthalle, the Austrians won the finals of the Erste Bank Open doubles competition against favorites Gonzalez/Molteni (MEX/ARG) in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (1)
The Austrians dominated from the first point, taking a 3-0 lead with an early break and serving out the set without any problems.
Always on top
In the second set, the pair from Argentina and Mexico were able to hold their serve, but mostly with problems, while the Austrians stormed through the set when on serve. This dominance finally paid off in the tiebreak, when Erler/Miedler only conceded a single point against them. After 1:21 hours, Miedler converted the first matchpoint with a return forehand winner. It was the end of an unbelievable week in which the Austrians did not lose one set.
Emotional winners ceremony
Alexander Erler was nearly left speechless during the winners ceremony. Lucas Miedler gushed about “probably one of the best – if not the best tournament on the tour.” Jokingly he said to tournament director Herwig Straka: “Thank you for the wildcard. Playing with such we haven’t lost a match on the tour”, alluding to their tournament win at the ATP 250 tournament in Kitzbühel last year. Straka’s answer: “Next year, you won’t need a wildcard anymore.”
For Erler/Miedler the triumph at the Erste Bank Open is the biggest success of their career. In the world rankings, the Austrians will jump ahead which will have them qualify for other bigger tournaments and the Grand Slams.