Tennis: Kiwi loses Nice doubles final

Kiwi Michael Venus (left) and Croatian Mate Pavic during the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi tennis player Michael Venus has narrowly missed out winning his fourth ATP doubles title of the season on the eve of the French Open Venus and Croatian partner Mate Pavic have been beaten in the final of the Nice Open by the top seeded Colombian duo of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 4-6, 6-4, 10-8.

Venus and Pavic were defending the title they won last year and got off to a flying start, taking the opening set 6-4.

But the duo who had already won three titles on the ATP World Tour this year, then dropped the second set 6-4 after being broken at 3-3.

The Colombians fought back from 5-3 down in the Super Tie Break to take the title, their 3rd of the season and seventh in total.

Venus said they put themselves into a position to win.

"Unfortunately the other guys played some good shots on a couple of important points and got there."

Venus and Pavic split 13,170 euros in prize money for their efforts and head to Paris with the French Open doubles draw out late tonight New Zealand time.

"It has been great to be back on court with Mate after not playing together for a little while. We did some things well this week, but there are still areas to improve on. Next week is a new tournament so we need to keep trying to improve and enjoy Roland Garros." Venus said.

Venus is one of three Kiwis in the doubles draw with Artem Sitak playing with American Nicholas Monroe and Marcus Daniell teaming with another American in Brian Baker.

Matt Brown is at the French Open thanks to Emirates Airline.