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Britain\u2019s Joe Salisbury made US Open history alongside American partner Rajeev Ram with victory in the men\u2019s doubles final.<\/p>\n
Salisbury, 31, and 39-year-old Ram became the first team to win the Flushing Meadows title three years in a row in the Open era by beating India\u2019s Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden of Australia 2-6 6-3 6-4.<\/p>\n
It was a fourth grand slam crown for the duo and denied Bopanna a first major title at the age of 43.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this partnership is really special. It\u2019s been five years and we\u2019ve got pretty close, we know we are going to give it our all until the very end,\u201d said Salisbury.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re just really proud of the effort we put in today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ram dropped serve in the very first game and Salisbury was also broken as Bopanna and Ebden eased to the first set.<\/p>\n
With New York still sweltering in 35C temperatures, tournament referee Jake Garner arrived on court to tell the players that the shutters around Arthur Ashe, and then the roof, would have to be closed.<\/p>\n
The delay seemed to knock Bopanna and Ebden out of their stride, with Salisbury and Ram securing an immediate break and going on to level the match.<\/p>\n
We’re just really proud of the effort we put in today<\/p>\n
After Ram indulged in his now traditional mid-match sushi snack, they saved three break points for 2-2 in the third and then broke in the next game when Bopanna\u2019s cross-court forehand flew just wide.<\/p>\n
Bopanna sportingly gave Salisbury and Ram the point after the umpire missed an Ebden winner brushing his arm on the way through to leave them 0-30 down.<\/p>\n
Fittingly, Bopanna hit the winner as he and Ebden came back to hold, but Ram delighted the American crowd by serving out for the title.<\/p>\n
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Ram paid tribute to Bopanna, saying: \u201cThat act of sportsmanship on the court, we\u2019ve been playing the better part of 20 years and I\u2019ve never seen anything like that, especially at a time like that we\u2019d have had no idea. Bops you\u2019re an inspiration.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cJust to be out here, it\u2019s something I could never have thought of in my wildest dreams. I can\u2019t believe we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n