WIMBLEDON — Former mixed doubles champions Neal Skupski of Great Britain and Desirae Krawczyk of the United States advanced to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon with a hard-fought victory over Nathaniel Lammons and Alexandra Panova.
The third-seeded duo secured a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 win on Court 12, showcasing their championship pedigree in a match that lasted just under two hours. Skupski and Krawczyk, who won the title together in 2022, demonstrated excellent chemistry under pressure.
Strong Start for the Champions
Skupski and Krawczyk began strongly, breaking serve early in the first set to establish control. Their superior net play and precise serving gave them the edge, with Krawczyk's left-handed angles complementing Skupski's powerful volleys perfectly.
"We knew we had to start fast against a dangerous pair like Lammons and Panova," Skupski said post-match. "Desirae was brilliant at the net today, and we managed to execute our game plan well in the crucial moments."
Second Set Tension
The American-Russian pairing fought back strongly in the second set, saving three break points at 4-4 before forcing a tiebreak. Lammons' powerful serves and Panova's sharp returns leveled the match, putting pressure on the favorites.
Key moments in the second set:
- Lammons fired four aces in crucial service games
- Panova's backhand down the line proved particularly effective
- The underdogs won 84% of first serve points compared to 72% in the first set
Decisive Third Set
The experience of Skupski and Krawczyk shone through in the final set. They broke serve in the fourth game and never looked back, with Krawczyk sealing victory with an unreturnable serve.
"We stayed calm after losing that second set," Krawczyk noted. "Neal kept us focused, and we knew if we kept applying pressure, our chances would come. The crowd support was amazing too - that definitely helped."
Road Ahead
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash against either seventh seeds Mate Pavic/Lyudmyla Kichenok or the British wildcard pairing of Jonny O'Mara/Olivia Nicholls.
Skupski and Krawczyk's Wimbledon credentials:
- 2022 champions (defeated Matthew Ebden/Samantha Stosur in final)
- 2021 finalists (lost to Joe Salisbury/Harriet Dart)
- Combined they have won 7 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles
Doubles Specialists Shine
The match highlighted the quality of specialist doubles players at Wimbledon. While singles often dominates headlines, the doubles competitions feature some of the sport's most skilled practitioners.
"Mixed doubles at Wimbledon has such a special atmosphere," Skupski reflected. "The crowd really understands the nuances of doubles play, and that makes it extra rewarding when you produce good tennis."
Looking Forward
With this victory, Skupski keeps alive British hopes in the mixed doubles after his brother Ken was eliminated earlier in the tournament. For Krawczyk, it's another step toward adding to her impressive Grand Slam collection.
The pair will return to action on Wednesday, hoping to continue their quest for a second Wimbledon title together. Their combination of Skupski's power and Krawczyk's finesse makes them formidable opponents on grass.
"We're taking it one match at a time," Krawczyk said when asked about their title chances. "The field is strong this year, but we know what it takes to win here, and that experience is invaluable."
As the tournament reaches its business end, all eyes will be on whether this accomplished pairing can recreate their 2022 magic and lift the trophy once more on the hallowed Wimbledon grass.