Week 42 - ATP 250 Series: Kremlin Cup, Moscow, Russia (Hard) - doubles

Jan · Hall of fame

RE: Week 42 - ATP 250 Series: Kremlin Cup, Moscow, Russia (Hard) - doubles

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

SF: Ken Skupski & Neal Skupski CR 198 vs (WC) Victor Baluda & Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS/RUS) CR 381

On the face of it, Ken & Neal appear pretty much guaranteed a place in their maiden ATP final, but the Russian WCs brushed aside their fellow Russian WCs, Karatsev & Kuznetsov, by 5 & 1 in the first round & have just disposed of the fourth seeds, Michal Mertinak & André Sá, by 6-1 4-6 [10-6] to secure their semi-final place, so the boys underestimate them at their peril!

steven · Tennis legend

I realise I'm a bit of a lightweight when it comes to doubles knowledge, SC, but I do know where Neal is ranked this week! wink wink

I meant that by reaching the SFs, Neal should rise to just outside the top 100 (so maybe just inside if those around the top 100 are losing more points than they are gaining this week, but probably not), while reaching the Final would more likely than not take him in.

korriban · Challenger level

steven wrote:
I realise I'm a bit of a lightweight when it comes to doubles knowledge, SC, but I do know where Neal is ranked this week!
I meant that by reaching the SFs, Neal should rise to just outside the top 100 (so maybe just inside if those around the top 100 are losing more points than they are gaining this week, but probably not), while reaching the Final would more likely than not take him in.

Whisper it quietly, but could the Skupski's now be the "on paper" favourites to win the tournament?

philwrig · Hall of fame

Neal really impressed me when I saw them play the final against Jamie and John earlier this year, he certainly wasn't the weakest of the 4 on the court.
No reason why they can't go on to have a stellar doubles partnership.

korriban · Challenger level

philwrig wrote:
Neal really impressed me when I saw them play the final against Jamie and John earlier this year, he certainly wasn't the weakest of the 4 on the court.
No reason why they can't go on to have a stellar doubles partnership.

Yes. In interviews Ken very graciously says that Neal is the more talented player of the two, although he said that he, Ken, used to be the one who trained and worked harder on his game. Neal does look a doubles talent.

spud · Challenger qualifying

Fantastic!!

Spectator · All-time great

Absolutely wonderful. Hurrah for the Skupski Brothers. Mr Skupski the elder has always come across as a hard-working, gracious person who takes nothing for granted and makes the most of whatever opportunities come. Haven't seen much in terms of interviews etc from the younger ... but no reason to believe he is different. Great to see talent, dedication and a willingness to work together rewarded.

DWH · Club Coach

Set Skupski 6-3

Fingers crossed for a first final.

Toilet break and trainer for the Russians. Nose bleed according to the umpire.

-- Edited by DWH on Friday 18th of October 2013 02:11:18 PM

DWH · Club Coach

What a return.

Big congrats to the Skupski brothers. First ATP event. First final. biggrin

-- Edited by DWH on Friday 18th of October 2013 03:17:18 PM

DWH · Club Coach

Skupski semi final just started. 1-0

BTtennisfan · Improver

Fantastic!! Saw Neil playing two three years ago and really liked his game. Great to see the brothers playing together and doing so well...keep it going boys!

wolf · Tennis legend

Neal is broken. Kravchuk whips a forehand winner in the first point of the game, they get to 30-15, but Neal misses an overhead then a half volley and Baluda hits a angled return winner to break.

1-2*

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Break recovered: *2-2. wink

wolf · Tennis legend

But they break Baluda straight back. A double fault lets them back in to 30-30 and some forcecful groundstrokes see them claim the next two points.

2-2