NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 15, 2021

Joe Salisbury

Rajeev Ram

Flash Interview

RAM-SALISBURY/Mektic-Pavic

6-3, 4-6, 10-3

Q. Joe, first talk about the great win, beating the No. 1 team. You guys have played them three times this year and been on the short end. Today, just tremendous match tiebreak.

JOE SALISBURY: Yeah, I mean, obviously really, really happy with that. Yeah, it's been tough. We have lost to these guys quite a few times this year, three times in some big matches, or I think four actually. I think we have lost to them four times. That was the fifth.

So finally getting one over on them is really nice, and especially in the final of a Masters, first Masters win together. That was pretty special, yeah, obviously to step up and play such a great tiebreak together. Makes it, yeah, even better.

Q. Of course you guys got off to a good start, winning that first set, and then seemed like you guys were -- I'm not saying all the way in control, but you were playing at a really high level today. Talk about that.

JOE SALISBURY: Yeah, I think, yeah, we came out strong. Played well the first set, both serving well, holding serve pretty comfy.

Yeah, we knew they were going to come back. They've won so many matches this year coming from behind, being a set down, winning so many super tiebreaks. Yeah, we knew we had to be on it. Yeah, they raised it a bit in the second set. But, yeah, just really pleased how we came back and then just played so well in the tiebreak.

Q. Raj, let's talk about, as you said, you have been coming here a long time up to Canada. Winning here now.

RAJEEV RAM: Yeah, look, it's pretty special any time you can win these Masters events. Joe and I, this is our third year. We've been close. We lost a Rome final and lost the semis of this tournament few years ago. Obviously didn't have many of them last year, so it was really special for us to get through it.

Q. Talk about the week overall. You guys, solid week, of course beating the No. 1 team. That's got to be a special feeling.

RAJEEV RAM: Yeah. Look, these guys have had almost a historic year, I'd say a Bryan Brothers kind of year. We worked really hard to give ourselves more opportunities like this.

Yeah, what can I say? Takes a really high level to get them, and we were able to produce it today.

Q. What do you think was the key in the match today, coming out with the win, especially after the first two sets, getting that early start and then having a tiebreak.

RAJEEV RAM: Yeah, for sure, that's it, but I think overall we stick together as a team no matter what, and we have been since we started playing together and just fully believing in each other's abilities.