Krawietz and Mies go back-to-back in Paris

For Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies, it seems lightning does strike twice. 

Twelve months after their surprise victory at Roland-Garros, the German pair combined brilliantly on Court Philippe-Chatrier as they beat US Open champions Bruno Soares and Mate Pavic 6-3, 7-5 to seal the men’s doubles title.

One break in each set, both times of the Soares serve, was enough for victory, as the seventh-seeded Germans became only the fourth pair to successfully defend the title at Roland-Garros. 

“This place is magic,” said Mies, who kept his nerve to serve out the match. “It’s hard to believe right now. What a moment.

“Kevin, the most asked question after last year, was did you realise it? I don’t know [how long this one will take to sink in]. Honestly if someone would have told us last year we would come back and win the title, we would have asked them how many beers they have had, it’s unreal.”

Krawietz, who made headlines earlier this year when he took a job with his local supermarket, stacking shelves in a bid to help his community during lockdown, thanked his partner. 

“Andy, what can I say, unbelievable week again, 12 wins here at Roland-Garos, what can I say, unbelievable," he said. "Appreciate that we are sharing the court.”

Pavic and Soares had beaten the Australian Open champions Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram in the quarter-finals and No.1 seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in the semi-finals.

Krawietz and Mies took out Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski, plus Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic en route to their first final of 2020.

But in only their seventh Grand Slam together, Krawietz and Mies began brightly, breaking Soares in the fourth game and holding the advantage throughout.

The second set was tighter as Pavic and Soares - trying to win his first Roland-Garros title at the 13th attempt - fought hard.

At 2-1 in the second, they had a break point on the Mies serve but the Germans saved it, and then another, as they kept their momentum.

Two double faults from Soares at 3-3 put the seventh seeds under more pressure but they held on, asking the question of Krawietz and Mies.

At 5-5, Soares was under pressure again, thanks to two massive returns from Krawietz and Mies. Krawietz put a volley away to force break point and though Pavic saved it with a volley of his own, the Croat missed a volley, and Krawietz slammed a stunning return to force the break.

Mies was left to serve it out and at 30-40, he faced break point but he saved it superbly and the German pair sealed victory when a volley dropped short and their opponents netted it.

The pair fell to the court in joy and then hugged, the joy of their triumph beginning to sink in.

Pavic and Soares thanked each other. “Thanks to Bruno again for playing with me again, it’s been another great week,” Pavic said.

“Another great run, we came one short this time, hopefully we get a chance next year to go one further,” Soares said. “It wasn’t a good day for Brazilian tennis today, the junior guys also lost in the final but good effort, proud of you guys. Another amazing run, undefeated in Roland-Garros.”