The crushing disappointment struck at Flushing Meadows when Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski watched three championship points slip away in the US Open men’s doubles final. These British players, who had formed their partnership at the beginning of 2025, faced the bitter reality of defeat against Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in what could have been a historic triumph for British tennis.
Their loss carried particular weight as they sought to become the first all-British duo to capture the US Open doubles crown since 1903. The match ended with a scoreline that told the story of missed opportunities : 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 in favor of the Spanish-Argentine combination. This defeat marked another chapter in an increasingly frustrating rivalry between these two pairs.
Three championship points vanish in crucial moments
The defining moment arrived when Salisbury and Skupski held a commanding 5-4 lead in the decisive third set. Standing on the brink of glory, they found themselves with three consecutive championship points on their opponents’ serve. However, a series of wayward returns cost them dearly, allowing Granollers and Zeballos to escape from what seemed certain defeat.
The momentum shift proved devastating for the British pair. After surviving their own service challenges throughout the match, Skupski’s serve finally cracked under pressure in the following game. Marcel Granollers then stepped up to serve out the victory, completing a remarkable comeback that left the British duo wondering what might have been.
The statistics reveal just how close this encounter was :
| Set | Salisbury/Skupski | Granollers/Zeballos |
|---|---|---|
| First Set | 6 | 3 |
| Second Set | 6 (4) | 7 (7) |
| Third Set | 5 | 7 |
This numerical breakdown demonstrates how fine margins determined the outcome of this championship match. The British pair dominated the opening set but couldn’t maintain their advantage when it mattered most.
Early dominance gives way to mounting pressure
Salisbury and Skupski showcased their quality in the opening stages, thoroughly outplaying their experienced opponents. They capitalized on a poor service game from Zeballos at 5-3, with Neal Skupski confidently serving out the first set. Their aggressive returns and solid net play suggested they were ready to claim their maiden Grand Slam title together.
The second set presented the British duo with another golden opportunity. Leading 3-3, they earned three break points at 0-40, appearing destined to take a commanding two-set lead. However, Granollers demonstrated why he’s considered one of the tour’s most resilient competitors, saving all three break points and holding serve.
Key factors in the second set turnaround included :
- Granollers’ exceptional serving under pressure
- Salisbury’s 15 consecutive service points before the tiebreak
- Critical double-faults in the tiebreak from the British pair
- Zeballos’ improved return of serve
The momentum had shifted decisively by the time they reached the tiebreak, where Joe Salisbury faltered at the worst possible moment. After winning 15 straight points on serve, he dropped serve twice in the tiebreak, sending the match into a nerve-wracking third set.
Recurring nightmare against familiar opponents
This defeat represented the third major final loss for Salisbury and Skupski against the same opponents in 2025. The Spanish-Argentine pair had previously defeated them in the French Open final earlier in July, establishing a psychological edge that proved crucial in New York. This pattern of defeats created additional pressure on the British duo as they sought to break their duck against these seasoned campaigners.
The frustration was evident in Skupski’s post-match comments, where he jokingly addressed their conquerors : “I am starting to dislike you guys ! We seem to be bumping into each other all the time. Why not make it Australia ? We will go again.” His words captured both the disappointment and determination that characterized their partnership throughout this challenging season.
Despite the setback, the British pair had shown remarkable resilience throughout the third set. They successfully defended break points early in the decider, demonstrating the fighting spirit that had carried them to three Grand Slam finals in their debut year together. However, when the pressure reached its peak, their return game deserted them at precisely the wrong moment.
The defeat highlighted both the promise and the heartbreak inherent in professional tennis. Salisbury and Skupski had proven they belonged among the world’s elite doubles teams, reaching multiple major finals and competing at the highest level. Yet the cruel nature of the sport meant that despite their excellence, they remained without a Grand Slam title as a partnership. Their journey continues, with the Australian Open offering another opportunity to finally claim that elusive breakthrough victory.
