Tennis: Marcus the man as Melo loses his cool

Daniell and Tecau hold up the Heineken trophy after their doubles win on day six of the Open. Photo / Getty Images

His farmer father said watching his son win "beat selling rams". But Marcus Daniell's fine win in the doubles at the Heineken Open yesterday rammed home the point that New Zealand tennis might just have a new focal point.

When Daniell and Romanian partner Horia Tecau won, Daniell released the tension by holding his arms out in front of him and shaking them.

The 20-year-old from the Wairarapa had become the first New Zealander to win an ATP title at home since Brett Steven was joined by Pat Galbraith to take out the doubles in 1998.

It's also the first ATP title won by a Kiwi since James Greenhalgh partnered Australian Grant Silcock to win in Hong Kong in 1999.

Wildcard pairing Daniell and Tecau commandeered a 7-5 6-4 victory over the Brazilians Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.

The pair met for the first time just days ago but will now split US$19,500 (NZ$26,440) between them. It was an extraordinary achievement by any stretch, especially given they'd come through three-set tie-break matches in the quarter- and semifinals.

In both those matches, they were down in the first set and narrowly won the second. Tecau has a doubles ranking of 46 but this is his first title. Daniell is still ranked 670 in the world.

The match was action-packed throughout with an assortment of drop shots, desperate cross-court lunges and pinpoint passing shots.

It contained net battles, the type you don't see in singles, mixing miraculous close-combat shots with the search for more acute angles for winners.

The key for Daniell was his composure in what was his first taste of tennis at ATP finals level: "The biggest thing is belief, proving I can actually play with these top guys and winning four tough matches," he said.

"It is completely unexpected but amazing. We came out in a good frame of mind, we wanted to put pressure on their serve throughout the first set, then in the second we got that break through two double faults [by Melo], which helped overcome them mentally."

The second-set break came in the fifth game, which saw Daniell and Tecau go up 3-2. Melo threw his racquet down in disgust, and the Rebound Ace surface propelled the instrument uncomfortably close to the umpire's chair.

In an ironic twist, Dave Dobbyn's Slice of Heaven then started blaring out of the public address system.

"I didn't even notice it," said Daniell of the incident. "I was 'in the zone' but may have seen it out of the corner of my eye.

"He must have been angry with that, two double faults, including one on break point. He'll be gutted."

One other controversial incident came in the first set when Melo's partner Soares claimed Daniell got an edge onto a ball that Tecau then managed to return to win the point.

"I didn't hit it and I'm not a player who will blatantly cheat like that," said Daniell.

"I didn't feel anything on my racquet. I thought the point was over then it flew back over my head and hit the baseline. If they thought it hit my racquet then too bad."

Daniell went on to serve for the set, and blazed an ace to finish.

Brett Steven, the last New Zealand man to win an ATP tournament on home soil, was impressed by what he'd seen from Daniell: "It's an unbelievable story; it's fantastic what he's done. I've been impressed with what I've seen of him on television.

"He has composure and obviously feels he belongs on the court. He doesn't show much anxiety. You've also got to give his partner credit, he didn't place any undue pressure on him."

Daniell's parents Derek and Chris were also up from their farm just outside Masterton to witness their son's achievement courtside and extended their stay several days in the process.

"It beats selling rams," Derek said.

Daniell will now go into the remainder of the year dosed with confidence.

"My singles ranking will still be the same but in those tournaments I'll be one of the top doubles seeds - so I'll have a better chance of winning further titles. I never thought I could perform at this level when the tournament started."

He says his newly-earned purse will be invested wisely, even when he goes back to playing the lower-ranked futures tournaments.

"I'm used to it, I know what to expect and need to make it last as long as I can. I'll keep skimping, except on food."

There are also fledgling Davis Cup ambitions: "The first tie is in Sri Lanka in March I'd love to be part of the team, I think I have what it takes. One of my fairly long-term dreams is to take New Zealand into the world group."