Rusedski and Santoro win in invitation doubles

Away from the unfolding drama on centre court in the Ladies’ Singles final, the conclusion of the Gentlemen’s Senior Invitation Doubles was played out in front of a captivated crowd on No.3 Court. The Invitational Doubles remains a popular fixture at the All England Club during the second week as a number of former greats take to the outside courts in a bid for Wimbledon glory.

Earlier in the day on No.3 Court, 2001 singles champion Goran Ivansevic took to the court, partnered with 2007 runner-up Cedric Pioline. The pair defeated American duo Todd Martin and Justin Gimelstob to complete the round of matches in Group A. However, neither pair stood a chance of qualifying for the final having both lost their previous two group matches.

Things were a little more serious in the final as four legends of the game who collectively hold 51 singles titles did battle. In between media commitments, Greg Rusedski flew the flag for Great Britain with Frenchman Fabrice Santoro, winning 6-7(3), 6-4, 11-9 against Thomas Enqvist and Mark Philippoussis. Despite heavy strapping on both knees, the big serving Australian conjured some of his former power as he consistently threw down 130mph serves but was unable to match the guile and dexterity of the Rusedski-Santoro combination.

It was business as usual for exhibition regulars Mansour Bahrami and Henri Leconte as they entertained the crowd against Pat McEnroe and Joakim Nystrom in the final round of group matches. Bahrami, now in his mid-fifties, struggled to make an impact on the main ATP Tour with a career high ranking of No.192 but has since become a household name on the seniors’ tour.

The top seeds dazzled the crowd with an array of outlandish trick shots and comical net rallies which were greeted with waves of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’. Bahrami and Leconte took the opening set 7-5, following a brief rain interruption, then unsurprisingly surrendered the second by the same scoreline to take the match into a deciding tie-break. McEnroe and Nystrom eventually ran out 11-9 winners.

Elsewhere in an all-Australian encounter, Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde overcame Peter McNamara and Paul McNamee in straight sets to finish top of their group and book a place in the final against Jeremy Bates and Anders Jarryd.