PARIS — British doubles duo Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski delivered a dominant performance to secure their spot in the French Open quarter-finals, defeating the Portuguese-French pairing of Nuno Borges and Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets. The match, played on Court 14 at Roland Garros, showcased the Britons' precision and teamwork as they triumphed 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour.
Salisbury and Skupski, seeded fourth in the tournament, demonstrated why they are among the favorites for the title, combining powerful serves with sharp net play to dismantle their opponents. The victory marks their third consecutive straight-sets win in Paris, reinforcing their status as one of the most formidable doubles teams on the ATP Tour.
Clinical Performance from the Brits
From the outset, Salisbury and Skupski imposed their game plan, breaking Borges and Rinderknech early in the first set. Their ability to convert break points—winning 3 out of 4 opportunities—proved decisive. Salisbury’s towering presence at the net and Skupski’s deft touch in rallies kept their opponents under constant pressure.
Key factors in their win included:
- Serve dominance: The Brits won 85% of their first-serve points, compared to just 68% for Borges and Rinderknech.
- Net efficiency: Salisbury and Skupski converted 22 of 26 net approaches, showcasing their aggressive strategy.
- Unforced errors: The British pair committed only 12 unforced errors, while their opponents tallied 19.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the match, Salisbury emphasized the importance of their teamwork: "Neal and I have been playing really well together this season, and today was another step in the right direction. We stayed focused, took our chances, and didn’t let them settle into the match."
Skupski added: "Joe was phenomenal at the net, and we both served brilliantly. It’s always tough playing a home favorite like Rinderknech, but we handled the occasion well."
Road to the Quarter-Finals
The British pair’s journey to the last eight has been seamless so far. They opened their campaign with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Argentina’s Máximo González and Andrés Molteni, followed by a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Germans Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz in the second round.
Their next challenge will be against either top seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos or the unseeded duo of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul. Salisbury and Skupski have a strong record against Granollers and Zeballos, having beaten them in the Madrid Open earlier this year.
Doubles Title Contenders
With their latest win, Salisbury and Skupski have further cemented their reputation as one of the most consistent doubles teams in 2024. They have already claimed two titles this season—in Adelaide and Madrid—and reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
Their strengths include:
- Chemistry: The pair have been playing together since 2022 and have developed a near-telepathic understanding on court.
- Big-match experience: Both have Grand Slam titles—Salisbury in men’s doubles (2021 US Open, 2022 Australian Open) and Skupski in mixed doubles (2021 Wimbledon, 2022 US Open).
- Adaptability: Their ability to adjust tactics mid-match has been key to their success.
Looking Ahead
As they prepare for their quarter-final clash, Salisbury and Skupski remain focused on the ultimate prize. "We’re here to win," Salisbury stated. "We’ve put in the work, and now it’s about executing when it matters most."
Skupski echoed his partner’s confidence: "The French Open is a special tournament, and we’re ready for whatever comes next. The crowd here is amazing, and we’re just enjoying every moment."
With their blend of power, precision, and poise, the British duo are strong contenders to lift the trophy. Fans will be eagerly watching as they continue their quest for a maiden Roland Garros title together.