Grand Slam Glory
An analytical review of the 2001 US Open Men's Doubles Championship, exploring its structure, key contenders, and the triumphant journey of the champions.
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Event Overview
The Final Grand Slam of 2001
The 2001 US Open Men's Doubles tournament represented the culmination of the Grand Slam tennis season for that year. Held from August 27 to September 9, 2001, this prestigious event brought together the world's elite doubles pairings to compete for one of tennis's most coveted titles.
A Storied Venue
As one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the US Open is renowned for its hard courts and vibrant atmosphere, typically held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. The men's doubles competition is a critical component, showcasing strategic play, synchronized teamwork, and intense rallies.
The Ultimate Prize
Winning a Grand Slam doubles title signifies a pinnacle achievement in professional tennis, demanding consistent performance across multiple rounds against top-ranked opponents. The 2001 edition was no exception, featuring a deep field of competitors vying for the championship trophy.
Tournament Format
Draw Size and Structure
The 2001 US Open Men's Doubles tournament featured a substantial draw of 64 teams. This format ensures a comprehensive competition, requiring teams to win six matches to claim the title. The large draw size also allows for the inclusion of qualifiers and wild card entries, adding dynamic elements to the competition.
Seeded Teams
Out of the 64 participating teams, 16 were designated as "seeds." Seeding in tennis is a crucial mechanism used to strategically place top-ranked players or teams throughout the draw, preventing them from meeting in the early rounds. This system aims to ensure that the highest-performing teams generally progress further into the tournament, leading to more competitive matches in the later stages.
Understanding the Draw Key
Tennis draws often use specific abbreviations to denote how a team entered the main draw or their status within the tournament. For this event, common keys include:
- Q: Qualifier (team advanced from a preliminary qualifying tournament)
- WC: Wild Card (team granted direct entry, often local players or promising talents)
- LL: Lucky Loser (team that lost in the final round of qualifying but entered the main draw due to another player's withdrawal)
- Alt: Alternate (team that gained entry when a spot opened up)
- PR: Protected Ranking (player using a special ranking due to long-term injury)
- w/o: Walkover (opponent withdrew before the match)
- r: Retired (player retired during the match)
- d: Defaulted (player disqualified)
Key Contenders: Seeded Teams
The Top 16 Pairings
The 2001 US Open Men's Doubles featured 16 seeded teams, representing the highest-ranked and most formidable partnerships in the sport at that time. Their placement in the draw was designed to ensure a fair and competitive progression towards the final rounds.
The Championship Bracket
Path to the Final
The men's doubles draw is a complex network of matches, with teams navigating through various rounds to reach the coveted final. The structure ensures that only the most resilient and skilled partnerships advance, culminating in a high-stakes championship match.
The following table illustrates the progression of teams through the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final match:
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||
| 15 |  Paul Haarhuis Sjeng Schalken
| 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 10 |  Mark Knowles Brian MacPhie
| 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Paul Haarhuis Sjeng Schalken
| 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 |  Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett
| 6 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett
| 6 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| 12 |  Ellis Ferreira Rick Leach
| 4 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett
| 7 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Donald Johnson Jared Palmer
| 69 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| PR |  Massimo Bertolini Devin Bowen
| 63 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 |  Max Mirnyi Sandon Stolle
| 7 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Max Mirnyi Sandon Stolle
| 4 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Donald Johnson Jared Palmer
| 6 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| John-Laffnie de Jager Robbie Koenig
| 2 | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Donald Johnson Jared Palmer
| 6 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
Historical Context
Part of the ATP Tour
The 2001 US Open Men's Doubles event was an integral part of the 2001 ATP Tour, the premier circuit for professional tennis. This tour encompasses a series of tournaments, including the four Grand Slams, the Tennis Masters Series, ATP International Series Gold, and ATP International Series events, all contributing to players' rankings and professional standing.
A Legacy of Champions
The US Open men's doubles championship has a rich history, dating back to the amateur era in 1881. Over the decades, numerous legendary pairings have etched their names into the tournament's annals. The 2001 event added another chapter to this storied tradition, with new champions emerging from a highly competitive field.
The 2001 Champions
Wayne Black & Kevin Ullyett
The 2001 US Open Men's Doubles title was claimed by the unseeded Zimbabwean duo of Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett. Their victory marked a significant achievement, demonstrating exceptional teamwork, strategic prowess, and mental fortitude throughout the demanding tournament.
The Runners-Up
Facing Black and Ullyett in the final were the second-seeded American pair, Donald Johnson and Jared Palmer. Johnson and Palmer had a strong tournament run, showcasing their experience and skill, but ultimately fell short in the championship match.
The Final Scoreline
The championship match was a hard-fought contest, with Black and Ullyett emerging victorious after three intense sets. The final score was 7–6, 2–6, 6–3, reflecting the competitive nature of the encounter and the champions' ability to perform under pressure.
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