Kiwi Michael Venus and South African partner Raven Klaasen have been beaten in the doubles final at the ATP Finals in London.
Venus and Klassen were outclassed by French pair Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut 6-3 6-4 in 70 minutes at the O2 Arena.
After the final, Venus confirmed to Trackside Radio that the ATP Finals would be his last tournament with Klaasen and he would link up with Australian Jon Peers in 2020.
A year ago, Herbert and Mahut came within a point of winning the title, losing to Americans Mike Bryan and Jack Sock.
The French duo began the year by completing their Grand Slam collection at the Australian Open and now hope to end it in triumphant fashion, when they contest the Davis Cup finals next week in Madrid.
Once the seventh-seeded French combo broke for a 3-1 lead, they were always in command against the NZ/South Africa pairing.
Mahut saved a break point at 2-3 in the second set, before a Klaasen double fault gifted a decisive break.
They claimed the title without dropping a set and finished the season on an 18-set winning streak, after winning the Paris Masters title earlier this month.
"Thank you for sharing the court with me, for having so much enjoyable moments and giving me so much joy when I am with you on the court," said Herbert. "You played an unbelievable final, so thank you for that."
Herbert and Mahut will take home US$832,000 (NZ$1.2m) between them, while Venus and Klaasen share US$451,000 (NZ$704,000).
Reuters
