MARK KNOWLES MILESTONE

Bahamian Mark Knowles has become just the fifth player in ATP World Tour history to record 700 doubles match wins.

The 38-year-old Knowles partnered former World No. 1 singles player Lleyton Hewitt to a 6-4, 7-6(0) victory over sixth seeds Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach on Thursday for a place in the Barcelona Open BancSabadell quarter-finals. Knowles and Hewitt won 71 per cent of service points and saved four of six break points for victory in 89 minutes.

“It’s a great milestone,” said Knowles, who has a 700-338 overall doubles record. “It reflects a pretty good career and I’ve had some great partners along the way to get me to that milestone. It’s exciting [and] it’s been a very challenging year. Every win is special these days based on the year I've had with injuries.”

Knowles joins Todd Woodbridge (782 wins), his long-time former partner Daniel Nestor (745), Sherwood Stewart (723) and Jonas Bjorkman (709) in the exclusive 700 Match Wins Club.

"I've got to know Lleyton pretty well recently,” said Knowles. “I asked him to play here and he was excited to play. Obviously it’s an honour. It’s extra special that he got me to 700 today.”

Over the course of a 19-season pro career, Knowles has won 52 career doubles titles. He has won at least one title for 16 of 17 years (except 1999) from 1993-2009. He won his three Grand Slam doubles titles with Nestor at the 2002 Australian Open, the 2004 US Open and at 2007 Roland Garros.

When asked how much longer he intends to play, No. 8-ranked Knowles said, “You never know. I've got a great partner lined up in Mardy Fish this year. So far our biggest obstacle has been to try and stay healthy between the two of us.

“I still enjoy being out there and competing. A lot depends on health, family and other issues, but I feel like I'm still playing at a good enough level to stay out here and compete.”

ATP