PARIS — British doubles specialists Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski staged a thrilling comeback to defeat American duo Christian Harrison and Evan King in the French Open men's doubles semifinals, securing their place in the championship match at Roland Garros.
The second-seeded pair overcame a slow start, dropping the opening set before rallying to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a tense two-hour battle on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The victory marks Salisbury's third consecutive French Open doubles final appearance and Skupski's first, as the British duo continues their quest for a maiden Grand Slam title together.
Reflecting on the hard-fought win, Salisbury emphasized their resilience: "We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we stayed calm, trusted our game, and fought for every point. That’s what got us through." Skupski added, "It’s an amazing feeling to reach the final here. We’ve worked so hard for this moment."
A Test of Nerves and Skill
The match began with Harrison and King dictating play, breaking Salisbury’s serve early to take the first set. The Americans, playing in their first Grand Slam semifinal together, showcased aggressive net play and sharp returns, putting the British pair under pressure. However, Salisbury and Skupski adjusted their strategy in the second set, focusing on:
- Improving first-serve percentages (rising from 58% to 72%)
- Targeting King’s backhand in baseline exchanges
- Increasing their net presence to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm
The tactical shift paid off as they broke King’s serve at 5-5 in the second set before Skupski held serve to level the match. "We knew we had to be more aggressive," Skupski said. "Once we started taking control of the net, things turned in our favor."
Decider Delivers Drama
The third set was a nail-biter, with both teams saving break points in crucial games. At 4-4, Salisbury produced a stunning backhand return winner to set up a break opportunity, which they converted after a tense rally. Serving for the match at 5-4, Skupski sealed the victory with an unreturnable serve, sparking jubilant celebrations.
Harrison and King, despite the loss, earned praise for their performance. "They made us work for every point," Salisbury acknowledged. "Credit to them—they played an incredible match."
Road to the Final
Salisbury and Skupski’s path to the final has been impressive, dropping just one set en route. Their campaign included victories over:
- Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos (seeded 6th) in the quarterfinals
- French wildcards Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul in the third round
- Experienced duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz in the second round
Salisbury, a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion (2020 US Open, 2021 Australian Open), is aiming for his first French Open title after finishing runner-up in 2021 and 2023. Skupski, a Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, seeks his first men’s doubles major.
The Championship Awaits
In the final, Salisbury and Skupski will face either top seeds Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić or the Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. The British duo holds a 2-1 head-to-head record against Arévalo/Pavić but has never faced Bolelli/Vavassori in a competitive match.
Skupski expressed confidence ahead of the final: "We’ve been building toward this all year. We believe in our game, and if we play our best tennis, we know we can win." Salisbury added, "It’s going to be a tough match, but we’re ready for the challenge."
The French Open men’s doubles final is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, on Court Philippe-Chatrier. A victory would make Salisbury and Skupski the first all-British pair to win the title since 1936, when Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey triumphed.
With their blend of power, precision, and chemistry, the British duo has a golden opportunity to etch their names in Roland Garros history. As Skupski put it: "This is why we play—for moments like these. We’ll leave everything out there."