Hanley-Ullyett Claim Stella Artois Doubles Title

Back to list >

Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett claimed the 2006 Stella Artois Championships doubles title after a thrilling three-set win over No. 2 seeds Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi.

Hanley and Ullyett’s 6-4, 3-6, 10-8 (Match Tie-break) win over last year’s runners-up earned them their fourth title of the year and their first at The Queen’s Club.

The Australian-Zimbabwean duo, who have won titles this year in Hamburg, Dubai and Rotterdam, ended the two-year reign of top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in the semifinals.

Hanley and Ulleytt, semifinalists at this year’s Australian Open, came back from 8-6 down in the Match Tie-break to win four consecutive points, sealing their victory when Mirnyi double faulted on match point.

For Ullyett, it was his second Stella Artois title having won with countryman Wayne Black in 2002.

“It feels good to win again,” said Ullyett. “We got off to a shaky start at the start of the tournament when we needed a Match Tie-break in the first round, but we got better from there. We beat the No .1 and 2 teams in the world so it’s given us huge confidence.”

Hanley added: “We’ve got a pretty good record in the Match Tie-breaks so we always feel like we’re in with a good chance. We just tried to stay in the match. We were up and then got down in the second but to our credit we never gave up. It’s only a few points here and there in the tie-break and fortunately those few went our way today.

“There’s been a loot of great teams here this week and to beat the top two teams in the world has been great.”

Back to list >