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As it happenedended

Andy Murray wins Queen's doubles final alongside Feliciano Lopez to clinch first title in over two years

The former world number one won his first title in over two years

Tom Kershaw
Sunday 23 June 2019 14:35 EDT
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Andy Murray and Feliciano Lopez claimed victory in the men’s doubles final at Queen’s Club.

Murray, who wins his first title in over two years, defeated Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram 7-6 5-7 10-5 in front of packed crown in west London.

For the Scot, who hadn't played for six months before this week, it is the perfect return to the game while Lopez adds the doubles crown to the singles title which he won earlier in the day.

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Lopez 1-1 Simon*

It appears there's enough as Lopez races to set up three break points in a flash but the wonderful scurrying consistency of Simon sees him recover all three. The Frenchman has a brilliant knack of always keeping the point alive and each time Lopez charges into the net, unwilling to engage in another 30-shot rally, Simon is able to find that last passing shot which forces the error.

And after see-sawing on deuce, that same play repeats and that's such a crucial and hard-fought game for Simon.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 15:37

*Lopez 2-1 Simon

And now it's Lopez who's on the back foot. Simon drags him to deuce, and with each passing point, Lopez wears a more hangdog expression. This time it's a forehand down the line that wrongfoots the Spaniard to proffer hope of a break of serve, but Lopez just about manages to eke out two more big serves to clinch the game. 

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 15:47

Lopez 2-2 Simon*

Lopez sets up two break points but squanders both with weak forehands. He's getting increasingly frustrated and there are only so many of those opportunities you can allow to pass by. Simon recovers and gratefully accepts the game.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 15:49

*Lopez 3-2 Simon

The cycle of punishing games is broken as Lopez shows a clinical edge to clinch that one and he looks delighted to hobble toward his seat at courtside. Both players are wearing a grimace. It's becoming as much about endurance as skill at this stage.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 15:52

Lopez 3-3 Simon*

This one looks like it could head to a tie-break again. Simon holds serve without too much fluster. Back to Lopez.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 15:58

*Lopez 4-3 Simon

Lopez skips to 40-0, pauses for a customary unforced error, before finishing it off. A change of ends, a change of shirts, and we go again.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 16:00

Lopez 4-4 Simon*

Simon grinds through, testing Lopez's patience from the baseline, forcing him to make that extra shot, pulling him from tramline-to-tramline until the Spaniard succumbs to fatigued error. Both players are showing great resilience and it stays on serve.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 16:09

*Lopez 5-4 Simon

Lopez holds too. Simon pulls off a couple of brilliant passing shots, but the Spaniard's serve is proving so difficult to capitalise on. One step closer to the champion's tie-break.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 16:16

Lopez 5-5 Simon*

Simon with another bold service game. He's managed to improve his first serve accuracy which is allowing him to take advantage of Lopez's tired legs, and puppeteer each point and that's his key to victory; to grind not just the legs down, but also the will. At the moment, it's just about working.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 16:17

*Lopez 6-5 Simon

Lopez sweeps aside his final service game. It's crunch time. One final hold or bust for Simon.

Tom Kershaw23 June 2019 16:18

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