Llodra, Santoro win first doubles title

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Fabrice Santoro and Michael Llodra ended their run of doubles outs in the best possible style on Saturday -- becoming the first French team since 1928 to win the Australian Open men's title.

Santoro and Llodra, seeded No. 8, proved too strong for the top-seeded combination of Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

It was a replay of last year's Australian Open doubles decider, which was won by Knowles, from the Bahamas, and Canadian Nestor.

Despite their win here last year, Knowles and Nestor have now lost six of their seven Grand Slam finals appearances.

For the French combination, it was a first major win and also their first doubles success together.

The last French team to win the men's doubles at the Australian Open was Jean Borotra and Jacques Brugnon.

Llodra and Santoro are also only the second all-French pairing to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era of tennis, which started in 1968. The other was Yannick Noah and Henri Leconte at the 1984 French Open.

"I always had a thought that I might some day win a Grand Slam title in doubles, but now that it's happened it's just incredible against the No. 1 team and really fighting for the win," said Santoro.

"We never gave up but we were two or three points away from losing it in that last set."

Twice there was a point for a double break against the French team in the final set before they fought back.

"We feel terrific pride in this victory," added Santoro.

"I thought maybe I could do something like this before the end of my career but I've done it after two years. That's unbelievable to me," said Llodra.

Knowles and Nestor, who have won 17 career titles as a team and a total of 50 between them with various partners, were bitterly disappointed at Saturday's loss.

Nestor said it was "probably the best we have played in a Grand Slam final and we lost."

"They played unbelievable," he added. "We have played them twice before and not seen them play like that."

Added Knowles: "Whoever we play, they seem to play the match of their lives."

The Knowles-Nester pairing collected six doubles titles in 2002 and had a big edge in experience over their French rivals. It was their 23rd Grand Slam tournament and 104th event overall together.

Santoro and Llodra teamed for the first time at last year's Australian Open.

 

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