Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic have both lifted Grand Slam trophies with other partners. Koolhof sizzled with Neal Skupski last season, while Mektic was invincible with Mate Pavic in 2021.

But when Koolhof decided 2024 was going to be his last season, he partnered with the Croatian.

So far, so good.

The duo bagged their third title of the season by downing Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), in the final of the BNP Paribas Open. They are trending upwards, indeed. The titles for the former No. 1s came at a 250-level event, a 500 and a 1000 — in that order. The way they played in the desert, taking that next step and bagging a Grand Slam together isn’t out of the question.

“I think from the first moment we started playing again in Auckland this year, things just, yeah, clicked, connected,” said Koolhof. “It's like we didn't have a break…I think we're just playing very good, we complement each other very well on the court. Here also I think we played four or five unbelievable high-level matches in tough conditions.”

They only dropped one set.

When it ended, Mektic dedicated the title to his godfather, Andrija, who died in 2022. Indian Wells marked his most prestigious title since.

“I just promised myself to dedicate something big, because when he passed away at the end of 2022, things started kind of not so good for me,” said Mektic. “I always had this in my head to just honor him for being such a great supporter and such a great fan. No matter the time, no matter the time zone, he would always find a way to watch my matches. Every time I finish, whether I lose or I win, I get the first message from him. I'm happy that I could get this one for him.”

The 35-year-old dropped to outside the Top 40 at the end of last season, although it didn’t stop Koolhof — who landed seven titles with Skupski in 2023 — from looking in his direction. They had won the ATP Finals together in 2020.

“Even though his ranking was not great at that point, I was like, ‘Okay, we did great in the past,’ even though he dumped me after that 2020 season. That was okay, all was forgiven and forgotten,” Koolhof smiled. “Not a very crazy story or something. Just how it sometimes goes in doubles.”

Another feature of doubles are the often-thin margins. Such was the case on Friday, where there were no breaks. Mektic and Koolhof had the momentum in the first set, holding break points in two of Granollers’ service games and then leading 15-30 on the Spaniard’s serve at 6-5.

They couldn’t break through, so one couldn’t help but think that Granollers and Zeballos might turn the tables in the tiebreak.

Mektic and Koolhof, however, earned the first mini-break at 2-1 when Granollers hit a smash on a ball that might have been going wide. Later in the rally, his forehand sailed long.

In the second set, Granollers and Zeballos were the ones applying more pressure early and earned their only two break chances at 3-2. Mektic fended off the first with an ace. On the second, Granollers left a return hanging and Koolhof smashed it away. On the Zeballos serve at 4-4, the Argentine and his partner saved two break points. Seconds later, Granollers jogged off for a toilet break at the changeover.

Once again, an early mini-break in the tiebreak paved the way for the eventual winners. The 34-year-old Koolhof swatted a volley away to seal proceedings, prompting their celebrations.

Koolhof won his first title in Indian Wells after losing last year’s final. Mektic got his second — winning in 2019 with Zeballos. Glancing at the trophy on a table in front of him during their press conference, Mektic still couldn’t believe what happened.

“When I look back to the last season, where my mindset was and everything, it really looks unreal,” said Mektic. “It's like I got some special energy when Wes asked me to play again.”