Surprise NBO winners in doubles as Brazilians Luz & Matos stun Arevalo & Pavic

That extended to doubles on Thursday evening. 

Brazilians Rafael Matos and Orlando Luz became one of the most surprising winners in doubles history at the NBO when they upset third-seeds Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo 5-7, 6-4, 10-6 in the final. 

Not only were they unseeded but Matos and Luz had a combined individual record of 7-22 at the Masters 1000 level prior to Montreal. 

However, they did show promising signs by capturing two titles earlier in 2026.

Their unforgettable stay in Montreal means the pair moved into the eighth and final spot for the ATP Finals. 

En route to the trophy, they topped Grand Slam finalists Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori and saved match points against Francisco Cabral and JJ Tracy. 

“A Masters 1000 title is a very big title and we’re very happy with it,” said Luz. “Since we started, in the pre-season, our main goal was to make the Finals.” 

“Still a long way to go but very happy we’re inside the top eight. Hopefully, we’re going to make this dream come true.”

Few would have predicted the outcome Thursday after the first set, since they let slip a break lead as Matos struggled. 

But the 30-year-old lefty managed to up his level in a big way in the final two sets. 

Pavic has won just about everything in his illustrious career, including all four majors and an Olympic gold medal. His wait, though, for a first title at the NBO continues. 

“We got to the semis two years ago and now the final,” said Pavic. “So hopefully in two years it’s going to be a step further.”

There was virtually nothing to separate the teams through the first six games, before the final burst into life. 

READ: NBO Montreal Tale of the Tape: Shelton vs. Nakashima

A double fault by Pavic on break point handed the initiative to Luz and Matos. Matos, though, crumbled in the next game. 

The lefty missed his first five first serves in the game and struck a pair of double faults, including on deciding point. Luz settled his side temporarily by holding for 5-5. 

Again, though, Matos lost serve at 5-6, with El Salvador’s trailblazer Arevalo sealing the set with a forehand winner. 

Things can change quickly in doubles and indeed, Matos and Luz broke immediately in the second, courtesy of a foreh and from Luz that went behind a poaching Pavic. 

You could see why Luz was a former No. 1 in the junior ranks and topped the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz in his junior days. 

How would Matos fare this time when serving to back up a break? Much better. 

He found first serves and hit with more authority, crunching a forehand winner to seal the game. Matos’ turnaround was complete when he engineered a beautiful lob to earn four set points at 5-4. 

Grand Slam champs Arevalo and Pavic lost their first set of the tournament and it got worse. 

Matos continued to soar, starting the match tiebreak with a forehand winner down the line to end a dazzling rally. 

They took a 7-2 lead after an exchange where Pavic and Arevalo originally held firm at the net from huge hitting by Luz and Matos. Then with a chance to steal the point, Pavic erred on a forehand volley. 

Even though they won the next two points, another Pavic miscue made it 8-4. Luz ended the final by driving a forehand down the line, prompting a big smile. 

“It was an amazing tournament and we’re very happy,” an emotional Luz said during the trophy ceremony. 

Photo: Amélie Caron/Tennis Canada