Marcelo Melo is the new individual Number 1 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Ranking becoming the first player not named Bryan to hold the top spot since Max Mirniy and Daniel Nestor on 3rd September 2012.
The Brazilian player claimed five doubles titles with three different partners. He reached the semifinals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo and won in Acapulco teaming up with Ivan Dodig. Dodig and Melo beat the twin brothers Mike and Bob Bryan 6-7 7-6 7-5 in the Roland Garros final claiming their first Grand Slam title.
While Dodig focused his attention on the Challenger circuit, Melo won two titles in Tokyo and Shanghai teaming up with South African Raven Klaasen. At the end of October Melo won his fifth doubles title with his third partner Lukasz Kubot in Vienna. Melo and Kubot rallied from a set down to edge Jamie Murray and John Peers 4-6 7-6 10-6. Melo has already secured his spot for the ATP Finals at the O2 Arena in London.
Melo was the first Brazilian player to reach a Grand Slam title since his countryman Gustavo Kuerten (three-time Roland Garros champion when he qualified for the mixed doubles titles match against US Vania King at the Roland Garros.
“I am living the dream, playing three tournaments wining 500, 1000 and 500 points again. There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders to become Number 1. This is a tough achievement. I am a really lucky guy to be Number 1 with the Bryans still around”.
