Double: Halys and Herbert make Paris their own

Paris belongs to them. Paris wears blue. Playing on home soil at the Plenitude Arena, Quentin Halys and Pierre-Hugues Herbert captured the 2026 Rolex Paris Masters doubles title after an epic victory over Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski.

Tie-breaks' party

Less than 24 hours after knocking out world No.1 team Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in the semi-finals, the French duo faced another formidable challenge.

Standing opposite them were Skupski and Harrison, the world No.2 pairing and winners of both the Australian Open and US Open this season. As Herbert had pointed out beforehand, the British-American duo are arguably the benchmark on hard courts right now.

The opening stages certainly supported that assessment. Skupski and Harrison struck first with an early break, only for the Frenchmen to hit back immediately. Gradually, Halys and Herbert began to apply increasing pressure on the opposition serve, but neither side could create decisive separation. A tie-break was required. More aggressive at the crucial moments, the French pair edged ahead and secured the opening set, helped by some excellent serving from Herbert.

Right on the line

The second set followed a remarkably similar script. With very little separating the two teams, Halys and Herbert even found themselves within touching distance of victory. Serving at 5-6, they earned a championship point and Halys unloaded a superb return. Somehow, Skupski responded with an outrageous backhand drop volley that left everyone in the arena stunned. A second tie-break followed.

This time, it was the British-American team who rose to the occasion, levelling the match and forcing a deciding match tie-break. Fuelled by the crowd and outstanding efficiency behind their first serve, where they won 86 per cent of points, Halys and Herbert surged into a 9-6 lead.

Skupski and Harrison saved the first two match points. But on the third, Herbert produced a miracle of his own. Reacting instinctively at the net, he guided a reflex volley towards the sideline. The ball dropped right on the line, beyond the disbelief of their opponents and the delight of the Paris crowd. Game, set and championship.

The victory marks a third title together for the French pair following their triumphs in Marseille and Metz last season. For Herbert, it is also a second Rolex Paris Masters doubles crown, having previously lifted the trophy alongside Nicolas Mahut in 2019.

An emotional success, and one they will not soon forget. "Thank you to my wife and children, who are here today," said the new champion. "Being a professional tennis player requires a lot of sacrifices. We're often away from our families. But the memories we create and the emotions we share are priceless."

"There are so many things going through my mind right now," added Halys. "I can picture so many moments on this court, sometimes positive, sometimes difficult. But I'm leaving on a very high note.

"Thank you to the crowd and to the tournament organisers. The event has improved enormously again since last year. Thank you to everyone who helps make this tournament so special.

"See you very soon. See you next year."