Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sportGet our free Inside Sport newsletterGet our free Inside Sport newsletterBriton Henry Patten and his Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara fell to a straight-sets defeat in the French Open men’s doubles final, although they will still be crowned joint world No 1 for the first time in Monday’s updated rankings. The second seeds were bidding for their third major title together and to go one step closer to completing the career grand slam, after winning Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open last season.They made serene progress through the draw and did not drop a set en route, sealing a place in their first French Open final on Heliovaara’s 37th birthday.But they were distinctly second best in Saturday’s final, losing to top seeds and defending champions Marcel Granollers of Spain and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos 6-4 6-2. It made for their third grand slam title together, after the French Open and the US Open last year.British pair Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski lost last year’s men’s doubles final on Court Philippe-Chatrier, meaning Fred Perry and Pat Hughes’ record as the last British men to win the Roland-Garros title, in 1933, still stands. Patten said: “It was a disappointing match. In doubles, if you’re a little bit off your game, then you can get exposed, particularly on clay. It was incredibly slow out there. They are obviously right at home on the clay courts. They deserved it, they played amazingly, and we were just a little bit off the ball, which can happen.”The pair had never before gone beyond the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros and are more suited to faster courts, with Patten adding: “Disappointing result today, but I think we can leave with our heads held high.”It was a match dominated by poor serving, with three breaks of serve in the first set, while Patten and Heliovaara failed to hold serve in the second until 5-1 down.The top seeds broke early in the first set and again immediately in the second, then again for a 3-0 lead. Patten and Heliovaara pulled a break straight back as the Brit smashed away a second serve return, but immediately conceded serve again. Granollers and Zeballos raced through a service hold to love to immediately put the pressure back on their opponents as they served to stay in the championships at 5-1 down. Patten and Heliovaara were unable to claim a third major title together (Reuters)Better…
Try WordAi Free
2026-06-06 16:57:31
