Skupski backing British doubles stars to secure Wimbledon success
By Will Jennings at Wimbledon
Neal Skupski will unfurl his British flag and roar on his doubles compatriots despite his Wimbledon campaign coming to an end.
The Liverpool ace, 35, and Joe Salisbury lost a tight quarter-final battle against fourth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos on Wednesday.
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The British duo went down in a pair of tie-breaks as a 7-6(6) 7-6(3) defeat dashed Skupski's hopes of a second men's doubles title in SW19.
Salisbury will now turn his attention to a mixed doubles final alongside Luisa Stefani today, while in the men's draw, both Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool navigated their way to the semi-finals with a thrilling three-set triumph against defending champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara.
Skupski, who lost his mixed doubles quarter-final alongside Desirae Krawczyk on Monday, will travel back to Liverpool this morning but is relishing the prospect of supporting the British home favourites from afar.
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'Of course – I'll be home in the morning, but I'll be watching up in Liverpool!' said Skupski, a three-time Wimbledon champion across men's and mixed doubles.
'I'll watch Joe on the TV and the other British boys – I can put my feet up while Joe focuses on his final.
'I'll get the British flag out and cheer for the lads!
'It was close today – there wasn't much in it, we played a good match and everyone served very well. We didn't give many chances away.
'That's good grass court doubles, with everyone playing a high level.'
Sixth seeds Skupski and Salisbury, a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion, beat fellow British pair Josh Paris and Charles Broom in their opening encounter at the All England Club.
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Two more victories followed but a date against experienced operators Granollers, 39, and Zeballos, 40, proved a step too far.
They were pushed all the way in front of a partisan Court 3 crowd but were unable to advance to the semi-finals and keep Skupski's hopes of emulating his 2023 triumph alongside Wesley Koolhof here alive.
'When you get chances you've got to take them, but those boys are obviously very experienced,' added Skupski.
'It's disappointing – I'll go over the match to see where we can improve.
'It's sad to be leaving at the quarter-final stage, but we'll reevaluate and be back next year.'
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Looking ahead to his mixed doubles final, Salisbury, 33, said: 'It was a bit of a surprise getting to the final as it was a bit of a last-minute partnership.
'But it's great be in the final playing for a Wimbledon title.'
PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR - For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.
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