Skupski out as Liverpool prepares for tennis opener

Jun 10 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

CONDITIONS at the Liverpool International due to start at Calderstones Park this morning, look the best for a long time, with the relaid grasscourts appearing quite immaculate.

The Centre Court still stands smooth and completely unused but the two supporting ones were able to play their part in a couple of fine eliminating matches in the men’s singles.

As anticipated, Matt James from Wrexham, the No 1 seed swept to victory over George McCullagh by 6-3, 6-1, while in the second semi-final Liverpool’s Neal Skupski put up a tremendous fight against Seb Jackson from Manchester Northern, before going down in a tie-break.

After losing the first set 6-7 Skupski hit top form to claim the second by 6-2, but sadly made a couple of errors in the third to go down by 4-10 after a tremendous battle.

The whole event is due to start at 11 am this morning.

The men’s four man round robin sees former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanesevic take on the former French Open finalist Michel Penfors, as well as Australian great Pat Cash and Henri Leconte.

Veteran stars Ilie Nastase, Mansour Bahrami, Vince Spadea and Robert Kendrick are also due to take part in what looks a highly colourful event, also featuring two great lady players in Jana Novotna and Martina Hingis.

The Ladies singles will see Caroline Woznacki and Ashley Harkleroad clashing for the third year in a row and Liverpool’s exciting prospect, 15-year-old Chloe Murphy doing her best to make a major impression.