Tennis defeat was not on the cards for Britain’s Neal Skupski and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus as they took to the courts of the US Open in the quarter-finals against Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic. Despite being the eighth seeds in the tournament, the duo were unable to overcome the fourth seeds from El Salvador and Croatia. The match ended in a disappointing 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 loss for Skupski and Venus.
The match was a hard-fought one, with Skupski and Venus missing two set points in the first set at 6-5. However, they were unable to capitalize on these opportunities and subsequently struggled for control throughout the rest of the game. This marks the end of the road for Skupski and Venus in the US Open, and they will have to wait until next year to try their luck again.
Skupski was the last Briton remaining in either doubles draw, making this tennis defeat even more significant for fans of British tennis. With Jack Draper set to play his singles quarter-final against Alex de Minaur on Wednesday, all eyes will be on him to see how he fares in the tournament.
How Did It All Go Wrong for Skupski and Venus?
The quarter-final match between Skupski/Venus and Arevalo/Pavic was one of the most highly anticipated of the tournament. Both pairs were evenly matched, with Skupski and Venus having had a stellar performance at Wimbledon just a few months prior.
However, the US Open has been a different story altogether. Despite their earlier success in the tournament, Skupski and Venus were unable to bring their A-game to the quarter-finals. The two set points missed in the first set seemed to be the turning point in the match, as they were unable to recover from this setback.
The strong teamwork that has been a hallmark of Skupski and Venus’s partnership seemed to be lacking in the quarter-finals. Whether this was due to fatigue, nerves, or simply a bad day at the office, the end result was a disappointing loss for fans of the duo.
A Look at the Statistics
Skupski and Venus had a winning percentage of 52.9% going into the quarter-finals, compared to Arevalo and Pavic’s 61.1%. This difference in form was evident on the court, as Skupski and Venus struggled to keep up with the pace set by their opponents.
The match statistics also revealed that Skupski and Venus had a lower success rate on their serves, with just 61.1% of points won on first serve and 50% on second serve. This was in stark contrast to Arevalo and Pavic, who had a higher success rate on both their first and second serves.
| Statistic | Skupski/Venus | Arevalo/Pavic |
|---|---|---|
| First serve points won | 61.1% | 75% |
| Second serve points won | 50% | 72.7% |
| Double faults | 2 | 0 |
The Impact on British Tennis
The loss of Skupski and Venus in the quarter-finals is a setback for British tennis. With no other British doubles pair left in the tournament, the hopes of the nation rest on the shoulders of Jack Draper, who will be competing in the singles quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Whatever the outcome, the US Open has been a valuable learning experience for Skupski and Venus. They will undoubtedly be back on the court soon, training harder than ever to regain their form and push for success in future tournaments.
What’s Next for Skupski and Venus?
Skupski and Venus have already made it clear that they will not be letting this setback hold them back. They will be focusing on their training regime in the coming weeks and months, working tirelessly to refine their skills and come back stronger than ever.
It is clear that the partnership between Skupski and Venus is one that has the potential to dominate the tennis world. With their combined skills, experience, and dedication, they will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in future tournaments.
Other Tennis News
As the US Open continues, fans can look forward to some thrilling matches and intense rivalries. With some of the world’s top players still in the running, it’s anyone’s game.
One player who has been making waves in the tennis world is Jack Draper. With his impressive performance in the singles quarter-finals, he is definitely one to watch in the coming weeks and months.
For fans of British tennis, the loss of Skupski and Venus in the quarter-finals is a disappointing end to a promising tournament. However, with Jack Draper still in the running, there is still hope for a British win in the US Open.
Skupski and Venus may have suffered a tennis defeat, but their fans will undoubtedly be backing them all the way as they look to bounce back from this setback. With their skill, dedication, and passion for the game, there’s no doubt that they will be back on top in no time.