LIVERPOOL’S Ken Skupski insists he has no fears ahead of a Wimbledon second round doubles clash with the former champion Bryan brothers.
Skupski and partner Colin Fleming won their first-ever doubles match at the All England to progress to the second round of a Grand Slam for the third time this season.
Nicolas Mahut, the unfortunate loser in the record-breaking 138 game clash with John Isner last week and fellow Frenchman Arnaud Clement, who was dumped out of the singles by Roger Federer, put up a valiant challenge against the British number one partnership. But Skupski and Fleming held their nerve, particularly during an impressive fourth set tie-break, to progress 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.
They now must hope they can repeat their win against the American brothers at Queen’s 12 months ago, a victory that announced their intention to establish themselves as Britain’s leading double act.
“It certainly gives us a bit of confidence but they won our last match, so maybe they will be feeling confident as well,” said Skupski.
“We feel that on our day we can beat anyone now and that’s the mindset we will take into the game.
“I think this match shows how far we’ve come in the last 12 months. Last year we might have lost but we came through this time and won both the tie-breaks.
“The more big tournaments and Grand Slams we play the better we get at producing the goods in these sorts of matches. It’s all just good for confidence and experience.”
Brits Chris Eaton and Dominic Inglot produced a big-serving 7-5, 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 win over top seeds Daniel Nestor and Nemad Zimonjic, which secured a third round place.
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