What Is 2016 Open Sud de France – Doubles

Overview

The 2016 Open Sud de France – Doubles was a professional men's tennis doubles event held as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. It featured top international players competing on indoor hard courts in Montpellier, a city in southern France.

The tournament served as a key early-season indoor event, helping players prepare for the upcoming ATP calendar. It attracted strong doubles pairings aiming to accumulate ranking points and prize money early in the year.

• Champions: Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut claimed the title, marking one of their early successes in the 2016 season.
• Final opponents: Oliver Marach and Fabrice Martin reached the final but were defeated in straight sets.
• Final score: The winning pair triumphed 6–4, 7–6(7–5), with a tense second-set tiebreak sealing their victory.
• Dates: The tournament ran from February 1 to February 7, 2016, aligning with the European indoor swing.
• Venue: Matches were played at the Complexe Sportif de l’Abeille in Montpellier, a venue known for its fast indoor courts.

How It Works

The Open Sud de France is an annual ATP Tour event that includes both singles and doubles competitions. The doubles format follows standard ATP rules, with teams competing in best-of-three sets, including a match tiebreak if necessary.

• Format: The doubles event used a 16-team draw, with matches played in a knockout format leading to a final.
• Court surface: The indoor hard courts provided a fast-paced game, favoring aggressive net play and strong serves.
• Seeding: Herbert and Mahut were the top seeds, reflecting their world ranking and past performances.
• Scoring: Matches used standard scoring, with a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set if needed.
• Prize money: The doubles champions earned €11,200 in prize money and 250 ATP ranking points.
• Entry criteria: Teams qualified via rankings, wild cards, or direct acceptance based on ATP guidelines for 250-level events.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Open Sud de France – Doubles with similar ATP 250 events held the same year:

The Open Sud de France stood out for being one of the few European indoor events in early February. Its timing allowed players like Herbert and Mahut to fine-tune their game before larger tournaments, especially those on similar surfaces like Rotterdam. The indoor hard court setup created consistent playing conditions, unlike outdoor or clay events that vary with weather or surface wear.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Open Sud de France – Doubles was significant for both player development and ATP rankings. It provided crucial early-season momentum and helped shape doubles pairings for the rest of the year.

• Rankings boost: Winning added 250 ATP points to Herbert and Mahut’s rankings, helping them maintain top-10 status.
• French pride: A French victory on home soil energized local tennis fans and boosted national interest in doubles.
• Team chemistry: The win strengthened Herbert and Mahut’s partnership, later leading to Grand Slam success.
• Tournament prestige: As an ATP 250 event, it contributed to the global visibility of Montpellier as a tennis hub.
• Preparation value: The indoor format served as ideal preparation for the ATP Finals and other indoor tournaments.
• Player exposure: Up-and-coming doubles players gained visibility by competing against top-ranked teams.

Ultimately, the 2016 Open Sud de France – Doubles was more than just a regional event—it played a role in shaping the doubles landscape for the year and highlighted the depth of talent in men’s professional tennis.