Michael Venus's run at his home tournament, the ASB tennis Classic, has come to an end in the men's doubles semi finals in Auckland.
New Zealand tennis player Michael Venus. Photo: Photosport
Venus and his partner, South African Raven Klaasen, were beaten in straight sets 7-6, 7-6 by Belarussian Max Mirnyi and Philipp Oswald of Austria.
The 30-year-old New Zealander had a chance to extend the match to a third set super tie break while leading the second set tie break 6-5 with the serve, but was unable to convert the opportunity.
Venus slammed a return at Oswald down the right-hand side of the court but the Austrian managed to get his racquet to the ball and sent it over Venus's head, landing just on the baseline to level the scores at 6-6 in the tie break.
Mirnyi then served out the match in one hour and 39 minutes, bringing Venus and Klaasen's run in Auckland to an end.
It was the first time Venus and Klaasen had played together since they joined forces on the Futures Tour back in 2011. The duo will play together in the Australian Open.
In the other men's doubles semi final, top seeds Mate Pavic and Oliver Marach face third seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Julio Peralta.
