What Is 2016 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles

Overview

The 2016 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles was a professional men's tennis doubles tournament held as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. It took place from August 21 to August 27, 2016, at the Wake Forest University Tennis Complex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The event featured a 16-team draw and was played on outdoor hard courts, serving as a key warm-up for the US Open. The tournament attracted several top-ranked doubles specialists looking to fine-tune their form ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season.

• Champions: Łukasz Kubot of Poland and Alexander Peya of Austria claimed the title by defeating the second-seeded pair in the final.
• Final match: Kubot and Peya won in straight sets, 6–2, 6–4, over Mate Pavić and Michael Venus on August 27, 2016.
• Seeding: The defending champions, Daniel Nestor and Leander Paes, did not compete together, opening the path for new contenders.
• Location: Matches were played on outdoor hard courts at the Wake Forest University Tennis Complex, a venue known for fast-paced play.
• ATP points: Winners earned 250 ATP ranking points and a share of the $74,835 doubles prize pool.

How It Works

The Winston-Salem Open is part of the ATP World Tour 250 series, offering players a chance to accumulate ranking points and prize money ahead of the US Open. The doubles format follows standard ATP rules, with best-of-three sets and a match tiebreak in the third set.

• Format: The doubles event uses a 16-team draw, with all matches played in best-of-three sets, including a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a full third set.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded based on combined ATP rankings, with four seeded pairs receiving first-round byes in 2016.
• Surface: The Pro Deco hard courts used in Winston-Salem are known for medium-paced bounce, favoring aggressive net play and strong serving.
• Timing: Held the week before the US Open, the tournament allows players to transition from summer hard-court preparation to Grand Slam competition.
• Prize money: The 2016 doubles champions split $13,900 from a total doubles purse of $74,835.
• Entry criteria: Teams qualify via ATP rankings or wild cards, with three wild card pairs entered in the 2016 doubles draw.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles compares to similar ATP events in structure and scale:

This comparison shows that while the Winston-Salem Open is smaller in scale than ATP 500 or Grand Slam events, it plays a crucial role in the summer hard-court swing. Its ATP 250 status and timing make it ideal for players seeking match practice before the US Open, especially in doubles where partnerships often form late in the season.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Winston-Salem Open – Doubles had significant implications for player rankings, team chemistry, and Grand Slam preparation. It highlighted the importance of short-form tournaments in the broader ATP calendar.

• Rankings boost: Winning 250 points helped Kubot and Peya improve their year-end ATP doubles rankings significantly.
• Partnership success: Kubot and Peya, a relatively new pairing, proved their synergy, paving the way for future joint entries.
• US Open prep: The tournament offered crucial match experience on similar hard courts used at Flushing Meadows.
• Wildcard opportunities: Local players and developing teams gained exposure through wild card entries, promoting U.S. tennis growth.
• Tournament legacy: As the final ATP event before the US Open, Winston-Salem has become a key stop for doubles specialists.
• Prize equity: Though smaller than Grand Slams, the event offered meaningful financial rewards for mid-tier doubles teams.

The 2016 edition reinforced the Winston-Salem Open’s role as a strategic and competitive platform within the ATP Tour, especially for doubles teams aiming to peak at the US Open.