What Is 2018 Open Sud de France – Doubles

Overview

The 2018 Open Sud de France – Doubles was an ATP 250 men's tennis tournament held in Montpellier, France, from January 29 to February 4, 2018. Played on indoor hard courts, the event featured top international doubles teams competing for ranking points and prize money.

Ultimately, the title was claimed by the French-Spanish duo of Édouard Roger-Vasselin and Nicolás Almagro, who emerged victorious in a tightly contested final. Their win marked a significant milestone in both players’ careers, especially for Almagro, who secured his first and only ATP doubles title.

• Édouard Roger-Vasselin and Nicolás Almagro won the championship by defeating the German pair Alexander and Mischa Zverev 6–3, 6–4 in the final on February 4, 2018.
• The tournament was part of the ATP World Tour 250 series, offering 250 ranking points to the winning doubles team and a prize pool of $542,880.
• Indoor hard courts were used throughout the event, a surface known for faster ball speed and lower bounce, favoring aggressive net play and strong serves.
• Almagro, primarily known for his singles career, had never previously advanced past the quarterfinals in a doubles event at this level before this victory.
• This was the 31st edition of the Open Sud de France, which has been held annually in Montpellier since 2010 after relocating from Lyon.

How It Works

The doubles format at the Open Sud de France follows standard ATP rules, with team-based matches featuring strategic coordination, specialized roles, and best-of-three-set scoring. Each match emphasizes consistency, court coverage, and strong net presence.

• Best-of-three sets: Matches are played in best-of-three sets, including a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set if needed. This format speeds up play and reduces player fatigue.
• Seeding system: The top four doubles teams are seeded based on combined rankings, ensuring higher-ranked pairs avoid early-round matchups against each other.
• Team composition: Players from different countries can partner, as seen with Roger-Vasselin (France) and Almagro (Spain), forming ad-hoc teams for specific tournaments.
• Walkovers and withdrawals: If a team withdraws before the first point, the opposing pair advances via walkover, as occurred in one first-round match due to injury.
• Point allocation: ATP ranking points range from 0 for first-round exits to 250 for champions, with semifinalists earning 90 points and finalists receiving 150.
• Prize money: The doubles winners received $72,000, while the runners-up earned $38,000, split evenly between partners.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2018 doubles finalists across key performance metrics and career achievements:

The data shows that while Roger-Vasselin was a seasoned doubles specialist, Almagro’s victory was an outlier in his career, which was dominated by singles play. The Zverev brothers, though experienced, struggled with coordination and net coverage in the final, contributing to their loss.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Open Sud de France – Doubles had lasting significance in ATP Tour history due to its unexpected champion pairing and the career implications for the players involved. It also highlighted the growing trend of singles players occasionally teaming up for doubles events to gain match rhythm.

• Almagro’s sole doubles title demonstrated that even primarily singles-focused athletes can succeed in doubles with the right partner and strategy.
• Roger-Vasselin’s win boosted his world doubles ranking from No. 42 to No. 36, helping secure better seeding in future tournaments.
• The tournament showcased French home-court advantage, with local support contributing to Roger-Vasselin’s strong performance.
• It emphasized the importance of cross-national partnerships in doubles, a common practice on the ATP Tour.
• The Zverevs’ loss ended a three-tournament winning streak in doubles, underscoring the competitive depth at the ATP 250 level.
• This event contributed to Montpellier’s reputation as a reliable stop on the early-season indoor swing, attracting top talent annually.

Ultimately, the 2018 doubles final was a memorable moment in the Open Sud de France’s history, blending regional pride with international competition and career-defining outcomes.