Kiwi Michael Venus has combined with Brit Neal Skupski to capture his 24th ATP doubles crown, winning a Wimbledon dress rehearsal at the Queen's Club in West London.
The doubles specialists overcame singles stars Karen Khachanov of Russia and American Taylor Fritz 4-6 7-6(5) 10-8 in 1h 17 min, with their rivals achieving the only break of service in the match to take the opening set.
The result was Venus' first title since winning at Doha with Brit Jamie Murray in February. The former French Open champion reached the second round at Roland Garros with Murray this month, before linking with former Louisianna State University teammate Skupski at Stuttgart.
The seventh seeds upset fourth-seeded Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek in the semis, before facing Khachanov and Fritz, who had toppled the top seeds en route to the final.
The match finally turned their way, when Fritz served a double fault at 3-4 in the super tiebreak, as the Kiwi and Brit defended their lead to the finish.
"It has been very special," said Skupski. "First time winning at Queen's, first title with Mike... we went to university together and we go back a long way.
"We have never been able to play on Tour much together, so this was nice to play with him."
The pair will be fourth seeds at Eastbourne this week and will team up again at Wimbledon, where Skupski combined with Dutchman Wesley Koolhoff to capture the men's doubles last year.
