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Top Seeds Koolhof/Skupski Reach Wimbledon QFs

  • Posted: Jul 11, 2023

Top Seeds Koolhof/Skupski Reach Wimbledon QFs

Bopanna/Ebden also advance

After picking up their first title of the season on the grass of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, can Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski transfer their success for their biggest team title at Wimbledon?

The top seeds, who have not dropped a set all tournament, advanced to the quarter-finals Tuesday after defeating Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson 6-3, 7-6(3) in one hour, 36 minutes. The Dutch-British duo fended off six of seven break points faced to reach the last eight.

Aiming for their first major semi-final of the season, Koolhof and Skupski will next meet Ariel Behar and Adam Pavlasek, who upset ninth seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

In other men’s doubles action, sixth seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden survived David Pel and Reese Stalder 7-5, 4-6 7-6(5). The Indian-Australian pair Bopanna and Ebden have earned two trophies this season, triumphing in Doha and Indian Wells. Last year, Ebden teamed with countryman Purcell to win their maiden major title at The All England Club.

The 13th seeds Jamie Murray and Michael Venus ousted fourth seeds Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski 6-4, 6-3. The 10th seeds Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz downed fifth seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

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Koolhof/Skupski Advance To Wimbledon Third Round

  • Posted: Jul 10, 2023

Koolhof/Skupski Advance To Wimbledon Third Round

Mektic/Pavic also through to Round of 16

Top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski produced a strong serving performance Monday to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

The Dutch-British duo defeated Australian Open champions Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler 7-6(3), 6-2 after winning 31 of 35 first-serve points and not facing a break point throughout the one-hour, 20-minute contest.

Koolhof and Skupski, who won the ATP 250 event in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, will next meet another Aussie duo, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson. Last year, the 25-year-old Purcell teamed with Matthew Ebden to win the Wimbledon men’s doubles title.


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In other action, sixth seeds Ebden and Rohan Bopanna defeated Jacob Fearnley and Johannus Monday 7-5, 6-3. Fourth seeds Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski moved past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Adrian Mannarino 7-6(3), 6-4. Robert Galloway and Lloyd Harris rallied to upset second seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 6-1.

Fifth seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin ousted British wild cards Toby Samuel and Connor Thomson 6-3, 7-6(4). The 2021 Wimbledon champions Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic survived Francisco Cabral and Rafael Matos 7-5, 7-6(3).

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Alcaraz Passes Berrettini Test At Wimbledon

  • Posted: Jul 10, 2023

Alcaraz Passes Berrettini Test At Wimbledon

Top seed will next play sixth seed Rune

Carlos Alcaraz passed a tough test on Monday when he defeated 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.

Alcaraz withstood an early barrage of power from Berrettini, who has long excelled on grass. But once the Spaniard found his return rhythm on Centre Court, he never relinquished it en route to a three-hour, four-minute victory.

“I knew that it was going to be really tough,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. “Matteo is a great player. He made the final here on grass, so I know he is playing great. Of course it is not easy after losing the first set. I knew I would have my chances. I needed to stay focussed and to stay there and [that is] something I am working on, to stay focussed, not lose my mind and I think I did great in that part and [I am] really happy to come back and play a great match.”

The top seed seized control by the time the players reached 2-2 in the fourth set, when tournament officials decided to close the roof due to impending darkness. But the near 15 minutes between points — and the change in conditions — did not give Berrettini, who was unsure if he would play the tournament due to injury, enough time to flip the momentum.

Alcaraz will next play sixth seed Holger Rune in a battle of the next generation. The Danish star clawed past 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov in four sets.

“The young guys reaching their dreams,” Alcaraz said. “Coming here and playing a quarter-final together is something great for tennis. Of course with Holger, we said at lots of tournaments when we were 12 years old, we grew up together, passing all the categories, playing great tournaments, so playing a quarter-final at a Grand Slam against him is something great and that I am going to enjoy.”

Entering the match, Berrettini had not lost serve during the fortnight. When he hammered his way to the opening set, it seemed the top seed could be in danger.

The start of the clash was reminiscent of Novak Djokovic’s win against Hubert Hurkacz in that Hurkacz took the racquet out of Djokovic’s hand.

But when Berrettini missed a forehand into the net off his back foot to trail 1-3 in the second set, the tenor of the match changed. Alcaraz grew in confidence and ultimately broke his opponent’s serve four times from 16 attempts.


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The 20-year-old began the grass-court season having only played six tour-level matches on the surface. But the Queen’s Club champion has now won all nine matches he has played on grass this year and is three victories from the Wimbledon title.

“I am hungry for more,” Alcaraz said. “But this is something I really wanted. Last year I lost in the fourth round and I really wanted to play in the quarter-finals here. I came here this year with that goal. First it was to get into the quarter-finals and now I am looking for more. My dream is to play a final here and win this title one day. I hope to realise that dream this year, but right now it is great to be in the quarter-finals.”

Berrettini, who is now 36-8 in tour-level matches on grass in his career, was never able to wrestle back control. Alcaraz hit 35 winners to just 23 unforced errors and held Berrettini to just 67 per cent of first-serve points won.

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