LONDON — Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool made history on Thursday, becoming the first all-British men's doubles pair to reach the Wimbledon final in the Open era after a thrilling semifinal victory over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
The British duo triumphed 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(10-8) in a nail-biting encounter on Court 1, securing their place in Saturday's final. This marks the first time since 1960—when Mike Davies and Bobby Wilson reached the final—that a British pair has advanced this far in the men's doubles competition at Wimbledon.
A Historic Achievement
Cash and Glasspool's victory is a landmark moment for British tennis, ending a 63-year wait for an all-British men's doubles finalist pair. Their success comes in just their second tournament together, having only teamed up in June ahead of the grass-court season.
Glasspool, 29, who reached the semifinals last year with Finland's Harri Heliövaara, was visibly emotional after the match. "To do it with Jules, another Brit, is just incredible," he said. "We’ve known each other since we were kids, and to be in a Wimbledon final together is a dream."
A Grueling Battle
The match was a rollercoaster, with both pairs trading blows in a tense third-set tiebreak. Granollers and Zeballos, the No. 4 seeds and 2021 US Open champions, saved three match points before Cash and Glasspool finally clinched victory on their fourth attempt.
Key moments included:
- A crucial break in the first set at 4-4, secured by Cash's sharp volleys.
- A dramatic second-set tiebreak, where the Spanish-Argentine duo fought back from 3-5 down.
- A nerve-wracking final tiebreak, sealed with a Glasspool ace.
Post-Match Reactions
Cash, 26, praised his partner’s composure under pressure: "Lloyd was massive in the big moments. His serve kept us in it, and his experience from last year really helped."
Granollers acknowledged the Brits' resilience: "They played the important points better. It’s tough to lose like this, but they deserved it."
The Road Ahead
Cash and Glasspool will face either top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski or Croatian duo Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek in the final. A win would make them the first British men’s doubles champions at Wimbledon since Jonathan Marray and Frederik Nielsen in 2012.
The pair’s rapid rise has stunned the tennis world, especially given their lack of prior experience as a team. Their chemistry, however, has been undeniable, with both players highlighting their shared understanding on court.
Glasspool added: "We’ve got nothing to lose now. We’ll go out there, enjoy it, and give it everything."
A Boost for British Tennis
Their success has reignited interest in British doubles tennis, which has often been overshadowed by singles stars like Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) hailed the achievement as a "massive step forward" for the sport in the UK.
Scott Lloyd, LTA CEO, said: "Julian and Lloyd have shown what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. This is a proud moment for British tennis."
With the final set for Saturday, all eyes will be on Cash and Glasspool as they aim to etch their names into Wimbledon history. Whether they win or lose, their journey has already inspired a new generation of British doubles players.
As Cash put it: "This is just the beginning. We’re proving that British doubles can compete with the best in the world."