Mektić and Ram Reach Cincinnati Masters Final

Croatia’s Nikola Mektić and his American partner Rajeev Ram advanced to their first men’s doubles final at the Cincinnati Masters on Saturday, defeating second-seeded Britons Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 7-6(4), 7-6(2).

The Croatian-American duo held a break advantage in both sets. In the first, they gained it in the seventh game but lost it immediately, while in the second set they led 4-1 before their opponents fought back to 4-4. Both tie-breaks, however, went in Mektić and Ram’s favor, securing their spot in the final.

They will face Italians Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego for the title.

For 36-year-old Zagreb native Mektić, this marks his 13th ATP Masters 1000 final, where he will aim for his 11th Masters 1000 title and 32nd overall career trophy. Ram, 41, is seeking his sixth Masters 1000 crown.

Ram previously won Cincinnati in 2022 with partner Joe Salisbury, while Mektić will be making his first appearance in the final at this Masters 1000 event—one of only two in his career he has yet to win.