What Is 2019 Open Sud de France - Doubles

Overview

The 2019 Open Sud de France – Doubles was a professional men’s tennis doubles tournament held as part of the ATP Tour 250 series. Played on indoor hard courts, it took place in Montpellier, France, from February 4 to February 10, 2019, serving as a key early-season indoor event in Europe.

Featuring a draw of 16 teams, the competition included top doubles specialists and French favorites. The tournament culminated in a final between the French pairing of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut and the international duo of Ben McLachlan and Hugo Nys, drawing strong local interest.

• Champions: Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut claimed the title, defeating their opponents 7–6(7–5), 6–4 in the final on February 17, 2019.
• Surface: The event was played on indoor hard courts, a surface known for faster ball speed and lower bounce, favoring aggressive play.
• Location: The tournament was hosted at the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier, a venue that regularly hosts ATP events.
• Draw Size: The doubles draw featured 16 teams, with eight seeded pairs based on ATP rankings at the time.
• Prize Money: As an ATP 250 event, the tournament offered total prize money of €534,875, with the doubles champions earning €48,720.

How It Works

The structure of the Open Sud de France doubles event followed standard ATP Tour protocols, including seeding, match formats, and point allocation. Each round followed a best-of-three-sets format, with a match tiebreak replacing the third set if needed.

• Format: Matches were played in a best-of-three sets format, with a 10-point match tiebreak used if the score reached one set all.
• Seeding: The top eight doubles teams were seeded based on their combined ATP rankings to avoid early matchups between top pairs.
• Entry: Teams qualified via direct acceptance based on rankings, protected rankings, or wild card entries granted by organizers.
• Points: Winners earned 250 ATP ranking points, while finalists received 150, with decreasing amounts for earlier rounds.
• Duration: The doubles event spanned six days, beginning with the first round and concluding with the final on February 10, 2019.
• Officials: Matches were supervised by ATP-certified chair umpires and line judges to ensure adherence to international rules.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019 Open Sud de France – Doubles with other similar ATP 250 events held in early 2019.

This comparison highlights differences in surface, location, and prize structure. While the Open Sud de France shared prize money levels with other ATP 250 events, it stood out for its indoor hard-court setup and strong French representation in the doubles draw.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Open Sud de France – Doubles was significant for both French tennis and the ATP calendar, offering players crucial ranking points and preparation for the indoor season. Its outcome reinforced the dominance of experienced doubles teams on fast surfaces.

• National Pride: A French victory by Herbert and Mahut energized local fans and boosted morale for homegrown talent.
• Rankings Impact: The 250 points earned helped both players maintain top-10 doubles rankings early in the season.
• Team Chemistry: The win marked a successful reunion of Herbert and Mahut, known for their Grand Slam successes.
• Preparation: The tournament served as a key warm-up for the upcoming ATP events in Rotterdam and Marseille.
• Exposure: French media coverage amplified visibility for doubles, often overshadowed by singles competition.
• Legacy: The event continued Montpellier’s role as a staple on the ATP Tour, hosting top players annually.

Overall, the 2019 Open Sud de France – Doubles was a pivotal moment in the early ATP season, combining competitive tennis with national significance and professional development for players.