Joe Salisbury claims a historic THIRD successive US Open title alongside partner Rajeev Ram… as the Brit continues his New York love affair
- Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram defeated Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden
- They are the first pair since pre-World War One to do the hat-trick in New York
- Salisbury overcame back issues and will share the hefty prize pot of £560,000
Joe Salisbury’s love affair with New York continued when he and partner Rajeev Ram claimed a historic third successive US Open title, reinforcing their status as doubles kings of Flushing Meadows.
They share a hefty prize pot of £560,000 for defending their trophy a second time, on this occasion more surprisingly as the two have hardly enjoyed a vintage season together.
They came back to beat India’s Rohan Bopanna and Australian Matthew Ebden, the No 6 seeds, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 on yet another day of steaming humidity. They also become the first pair since pre-World War One to do the hat-trick in New York.
For Putney-based Salisbury, who has overcome back issues, it is a sixth Major win (four men’s and two mixed doubles) and puts him one behind Jamie Murray.
They arrived here with just a solitary clay court title to their name in 2023, and the opening exchanges did not suggest this would represent any major revival.
Joe Salisbury (left) and partner Rajeev Ram clinched a historic third successive US Open title
The pair came back to beat India’s Rohan Bopanna and Australian Matthew Ebden in New York
The roof was half closed to minimise the effect of the sweltering heat which has prevailed this week, giving it almost the feel of an indoor match.
Ram was broken in the very first game, and Salisbury was hanging on too. When the Londoner also lost his serve the Indian-Australian duo were well in control.
With their returns becoming more effective, the Anglo-American pair changed the momentum by breaking Bopanna for 4-2 in the second.
The veteran Bopanna, 43, was again looking his age in the decider when he missed a forehand to get broken at 2-2, an advantage that proved decisive.
They could have broken Ebden at 4-2 to put the match out of reach, but ultimately it came down to Ram to serve the match out on what has very much become their favourite court.
With his head under a towel, Salisbury was emotional at the end of the match as he contemplated their achievement: ‘There were a few tears,’ he said.
‘I don’t know why, this one seems more emotional than the others. I don’t think I have ever cried after any matches, especially not ones that we have won, even at the Grand Slams.
Salisbury and Ram will share a prize pot of £560,000 for defending their trophy a second time
‘But there is something about being here, doing it again and I think doing it after the year we have had. We have had some struggles, had some pretty low times.’
He has been overlooked for the British Davis Cup squad taking part in the World Finals qualifiers this coming week in Manchester, despite a successful fortnight, with Jack Draper added as an extra singles option.
‘I think the team’s set, I won’t be in it this time, it’s obviously disappointing,’ said Salisbury. ‘I always want to play Davis Cup if I can. Hopefully I’ll be back in the team soon.’
Of the final he added: ‘I think we came through some tough games to stay in it at the start of the second set. They were kind of close to running away with it, and we just managed to stay in there and gradually raised our level. I think that’s the thing that we’re most happy about – that we have come through that not playing our best and we just fought hard.’