NEW YORK — British tennis fans have reason to celebrate as the formidable doubles pairing of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski have powered their way into the semi-finals of the US Open men's doubles championship. The duo secured their spot in the final four with a commanding straight-sets victory, 6-4, 6-2, over the Czech team of Tomas Machac and Matej Vocel on a sun-drenched Tuesday afternoon at Flushing Meadows.
This deep run marks a significant achievement for the British pair, who joined forces at the start of the 2024 season with the ambition of becoming the world's top team. Their chemistry and complementary skills were on full display against Machac and Vocel, as they executed a near-flawless game plan to dismantle their opponents' strategies and control the tempo of the match from the baseline and at the net.
A Dominant Display on Grandstand Court
From the first serve, Salisbury and Skupski exhibited a level of cohesion and intensity that their Czech opponents struggled to match. The first set was a tight affair, with both teams holding serve comfortably until the crucial tenth game. With Machac serving to stay in the set at 4-5, the British pair raised their level, applying immense pressure and converting their first set point with a perfectly poached volley from Skupski to break serve and seize the early advantage, 6-4.
The momentum firmly in their corner, Salisbury and Skupski raced through the second set with breathtaking efficiency. Their service games were impregnable, and they consistently found openings on the Czechs' serves. They secured two decisive breaks of serve, and Salisbury served out the match to love, sealing the victory with a thunderous ace down the T. The entire contest was wrapped up in a brisk one hour and fourteen minutes.
Keys to Victory and Tactical Superiority
The statistics from the match underscore the Britons' dominance. They fired an impressive 8 aces and won a staggering 93% of points behind their first serves, giving the Czech duo no opportunity to gain a foothold in return games. Furthermore, they converted three of their four break point opportunities while saving the only break point they faced on their own serve.
Their success was built on a foundation of several key factors:
- Impeccable Serving: Both players served with high velocity and precision, rarely offering second-serve opportunities.
- Net Dominance: Skupski's aggressive poaching and Salisbury's wingspan at the net cut off angles and won countless quick points.
- Superior Returns: They consistently applied pressure by landing deep, attacking returns at the feet of the incoming net rusher.
Speaking to the press after the match, Neal Skupski highlighted their effective teamwork, stating, "I think we complemented each other perfectly today. Joe was serving incredibly well, which allowed me to be aggressive at the net. We felt in control from the start and executed the plans we discussed before walking onto the court."
The Road to the Semi-Finals
This quarter-final victory continues a strong tournament for the 13th seeds, who have yet to drop a set en route to the semi-finals. Their path has included convincing wins over:
- Dodig/Krajicek (6-3, 7-6)
- Gille/Vliegen (6-4, 6-4)
- Gonzalez/Molteni (7-6, 6-3)
This run is particularly sweet for Joe Salisbury, a two-time US Open men's doubles champion (2021, 2022 with Rajeev Ram), who is now just two wins away from a third title. For Neal Skupski, the 2023 Wimbledon men's doubles champion, it represents a chance to add a US Open crown to his resume and solidify his partnership with Salisbury as one of the most formidable in the game.
A Clash of Titans in the Final Four
Awaiting them in the semi-finals is a monumental challenge: a showdown against the top seeds and defending champions, Rajeev Ram of the United States and Britain's Joe Salisbury's former partner, and New Zealander Michael Venus. This matchup is dripping with narrative, pitting Salisbury's past and present together in a high-stakes battle for a place in the final.
Salisbury acknowledged the unique nature of the upcoming match, saying, "It's going to be strange playing against Raj. We had so much success together and he's a great friend. But it's the semi-finals of a Slam, and we're both competitors. Neal and I are playing great tennis, and we'll be ready for the fight."
The other semi-final will feature the 15th seeds, Hugo Nys of Monaco and Jan Zielinski of Poland, against the unseeded but dangerous American duo of Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the men's doubles event, with British interest firmly at the heart of the action.
What This Means for British Tennis
The success of Salisbury and Skupski is a tremendous boost for British tennis, ensuring at least one representative in the semi-finals of a major doubles draw. Their partnership, though still new, is proving to be a resounding success, blending Salisbury's powerful, baseline-oriented game with Skupski's lightning-fast reflexes and net prowess. A victory here would not only net them a first Grand Slam title as a pair but also significantly boost their chances of qualifying for and competing for a medal at the upcoming Olympic Games.
As the tournament reaches its climax, all eyes will be on this British duo. They have demonstrated the skill, mentality, and synergy required to win the biggest titles. Their semi-final against the defending champions promises to be a tactical masterclass and a highlight of the tournament's second week. The British contingent in New York will be roaring them on, hoping to see Salisbury and Skupski advance to the final and continue their quest for US Open glory.