Daniell and Oswald lose tight match in Dubai

In form New Zealand doubles player Marcus Daniell and his Austrian partner Philipp Oswald have suffered a first-round defeat at the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai.

Daniell and Oswald who reached the final at last week’s tournament in Doha, have been beaten in straight sets 6-4 7-6 (7) in 1 hour 26 by the French pair of Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin who were semi-finalists in Doha last week.

Daniell was broken in the third game of the match and the French pair consolidated after saving a break point in their next service game and eventually close out the set in 35 minutes. Daniell was broken in his opening service game, but he and Oswald got back into the set when they broke Martin to level Things up. The set went to a tie break. Which was tight. Daniell and Oswald had a set point, but they couldn’t convert and Chardy and Martin closed out the match.

Daniell and Oswald will now make the long trip to Florida for the first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year in Miami.