New Zealand tennis player Michael Venus and his American partner Ryan Harrison have been beaten in straight sets in their semi final at the ATP Finals in London.
Michael Venus Photo: Photosport
The duo had been unbeaten in the lead up to the match but were no match for the number one seeds Marcelo Melo and Lukasz Kubot - losing 61 6-4 in just over an hour.
Melo and Kubot got off to a flying start, racing through the first set 6-1 with two breaks of serve, converting two of their five break point chances in the opening set.Venus and Harrison did get two break points of their own but were unable to capitalise in the opener.
Venus and Harrison improved in the second set. At 4-3 they had Melo under pressure at 15-30 but couldn't secure the break. They failed to convert any of their four chances in the match. Games went with serve until the 9th game when Harrison was broken. The American couldn't land a first serve and paid the price with Venus missing a couple of reflex volleys at the net.
Kubot then held his nerve and served it out to win through to the final in one hour and four minutes.
Kubot and Melo will end the year as the world number one ranked team having won Wimbledon and three Masters 1000 titles together and seven titles in total.
Venus and Harrison share close to 300 thousand dollars for their run to the semi-finals.
-RNZ