Top Seeds Koolhof/Skupski Reach Wimbledon QFs
After picking up their first title of the season on the grass of 's-Hertogenbosch, can Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski transfer their success for their biggest team title at Wimbledon?
The top seeds, who have not dropped a set all tournament, advanced to the quarter-finals Tuesday after defeating Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson 6-3, 7-6(3) in one hour, 36 minutes. The Dutch-British duo fended off six of seven break points faced to reach the last eight.
Aiming for their first major semi-final of the season, Koolhof and Skupski will next meet Ariel Behar and Adam Pavlasek, who upset ninth seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
In other men's doubles action, sixth seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden survived David Pel and Reese Stalder 7-5, 4-6 7-6(5). The Indian-Australian pair Bopanna and Ebden have earned two trophies this season, triumphing in Doha and Indian Wells. Last year, Ebden teamed with countryman Purcell to win their maiden major title at The All England Club.
The 13th seeds Jamie Murray and Michael Venus ousted fourth seeds Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski 6-4, 6-3. The 10th seeds Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz downed fifth seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.