Skupski and Venus continue hot streak with Eastbourne success

Neal Skupski and Michael Venus continued their hot streak by backing up Queen’s success with another men’s doubles crown at Eastbourne.

The in-form pair came from a set and a break down to beat John Peers and Matthew Ebden 4-6 7-6(2) 11-9 in the Sussex showpiece for their second tournament victory in as many weeks.

They will now turn their attentions to Wimbledon, with Liverpool's Skupski defending his title having lifted the men’s doubles trophy alongside Wesley Koolhof last year, but not before revelling in their latest piece of silverware.

“It was a very up and down match in very tricky conditions,” Skupski said.

“Those boys (Peers and Ebden) played great for a set and three-quarters of the second set, nearly all the match.

“Mike took over at a set and 5-4 down, hit some amazing shots and gave me belief. That’s doubles, it’s fine margins and it’s great to come away with a win like that.

“It gives us confidence, it’s great to win matches and believe we are never out of it.

“It’s great to be next to Mike, he gives me a lot of confidence and I’m very excited to be playing with him.”

Skupski and Venus are seeded ninth for the men’s doubles at SW19 and could face the Murray brothers in the second round should Andy win his fitness battle.

Their fighting spirit and ability to battle back from adversity has been on display throughout the week in Eastbourne but Venus hopes they can learn to make life easier for themselves going forwards.

“We hadn’t broken serve the whole match and they were serving for the match,” he said. “You have to take a chance and go for a couple of things.

“A few things came off and momentum can shift quickly. Anything can happen in a tie-breaker.

“It will be good to look back and see what we could have done earlier on to not get in that situation in future matches.”

There will be no British representation in the women’s doubles final after Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden were beaten 6-1 6-2 by Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-finals.

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