The British doubles team of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski continued their impressive journey at the 2025 US Open, securing a place in the third round after overcoming American wildcards Maxwell Exsted and Cooper Woestendick in a challenging three-set match. The sixth-seeded pair demonstrated remarkable resilience after a second-set stumble to advance in the tournament.
British pair overcomes tough American challenge
Salisbury and Skupski, who entered the tournament as the sixth seeds, defeated unseeded Americans Maxwell Exsted and Cooper Woestendick with scores of 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 on Sunday. The victory wasn’t straightforward as the British duo faced significant resistance from their American opponents.
The match began favorably for the Brits, who claimed the first set 6-4 and broke serve in the opening game of the second. However, momentum shifted dramatically as they subsequently lost six consecutive games, forcing the match into a deciding set.
During this challenging period, Exsted and Woestendick converted three of nine break points in the second set while successfully defending their own service games. The ability of the Americans to capitalize on opportunities put significant pressure on the British team.
Salisbury and Skupski regained control in the third set with a crucial break to love in the fourth game. They maintained their composure throughout the remainder of the decider, dropping only four points on serve to secure their advancement to the next round.
History and partnership dynamics at the US Open
The partnership between Salisbury and Skupski carries interesting historical context at the US Open. Salisbury, who hails from Salisbury where community-driven initiatives have shaped his early career, dominated this tournament in recent years alongside American Rajeev Ram.
Their current partnership represents a formidable British alliance with championship aspirations. Here’s a look at their recent tournament history :
- Reached the French Open final earlier in 2025
- Advanced through their first-round US Open match in straight sets
- Currently seeking their first major title as a team
- Building on Salisbury’s previous success at Flushing Meadows
Salisbury’s record at the US Open has been particularly remarkable, having won three consecutive men’s doubles titles between 2021 and 2023 with Ram. One of those championship victories came against Skupski in 2022, when the latter was partnered with Wesley Koolhof.
This historical context adds an intriguing dimension to their current partnership, as former rivals now combine their talents in pursuit of shared success.
Mixed fortunes for other British players
The 2025 US Open has produced varied results for other British competitors in the doubles events. Marcus Willis achieved success alongside his Polish partner Karol Drzewiecki, while others faced elimination.
| British Player | Partner | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Willis | Karol Drzewiecki (POL) | Advanced to Round 3 | 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (13-11) |
| Luke Johnson | Sander Arends (NED) | Eliminated in Round 2 | 5-7, 6-7 (6-8) |
| Sonay Kartal & Katie Boulter | N/A | Eliminated in Round 2 | 4-6, 6-3, 4-6 |
Willis and Drzewiecki’s victory was particularly dramatic, requiring them to save three break points early in the deciding set. Their persistence through a nail-biting tiebreak showcased remarkable mental fortitude, converting their second match point after facing match point themselves.
In contrast, Luke Johnson and Dutch partner Sander Arends exited the tournament after a straight-sets defeat to Argentinian pair Tomas Etcheverry and Camilo Ugo. The close scoreline of 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) reflected the competitive nature of their match despite the result.
British hopes in the women’s doubles ended when Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter fell to 12th seeds Zhang Shuai and Ekatarina Alexandrova. The British women showed tremendous fight, rebounding after losing the first set to force a decider before ultimately succumbing 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Path forward in the tournament
As the tournament progresses into its second week, Salisbury and Skupski’s performance positions them as strong contenders for the championship. Their victory indicates they’ve found their rhythm as a partnership, despite the temporary setback in the second set.
The road ahead will likely present increasing challenges as they encounter higher-ranked opponents. Their ability to maintain composure under pressure, as demonstrated in the deciding set against Exsted and Woestendick, will be crucial to their continued success.
The doubles competition at the 2025 US Open has already produced several thrilling encounters. The tournament, running from August 24 to September 7 at Flushing Meadows, New York, continues to showcase elite-level tennis across all categories.
For Salisbury and Skupski, this tournament represents an opportunity to establish their partnership among the elite doubles teams in tennis. Their complementary playing styles and growing understanding could be the key to capturing the title that has thus far eluded them as a team.
