Neal Skupski has started his 2018 much like he finished 2017. At the end of last season, he teamed with brother Ken Skupski to make the ATP Challenger Tour final in Eckental, Germany, and triumph in Bratislava, Slovakia. The brothers then captured the trophy two weeks ago at another Challenger in Quimper, France. But this past week, Neal achieved his greatest result to date, joining Ken again to win his first tour-level title at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier. Skupski spoke to ATPWorldTour.com upon his arrival at the New York Open, where he is competing alongside 91-time tour-level titlist Daniel Nestor. How does it feel to be an ATP World Tour champion? It’s unbelievable. It’s obviously a dream...
Watch highlights of the 2018 Open Sud de France final, featuring Lucas Pouille versus fellow Frenchman and six-time Montpellier finalist Richard Gasquet. Photo: TV Sport Events
For the third time in 10 months, Lucas Pouille has saved match points en route to an ATP World Tour title. The 23-year-old overcame three-time champion Richard Gasquet 7-6(2), 6-4 at the Open Sud de France to win his fifth tour-level title on Sunday. Pouille saved two match points at 1-6, 3-5 against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Saturday’s second semi-final before his compatriot was forced to retire with a left hamstring injury. The World No. 17 seized his opportunity in the final with a fine serving performance, scoring an impressive 87-minute win over Gasquet to lift his second title on home soil (Metz, 2016). "I'm very happy with the win today," said Pouille. "Obviously it was a tough match. Richard is...
British brothers Ken Skupski and Neal Skupski captured their first ATP World Tour team title at the Open Sud de France after beating Ben Mclachlan and Hugo Nys 7-6(2), 6-4 on Sunday. Competing in their second final as a team after reaching the 2013 VTB Kremlin Cup final, the Skupskis won 80 per cent of points behind their first serve against the fourth-seeded duo to win the championship match in 75 minutes. "This is a dream come true for us,” Ken Skupski told ATPWorldTour.com. “We've worked very hard over the years that we have played together. To finally win an ATP World Tour title together, we are extremely happy for us, but also for the family. It is a privilege...
Richard Gasquet reached his sixth consecutive Open Sud de France final with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 win over David Goffin on Saturday. A three-time champion in southern France, Gasquet upset the top seed after one hour, 48 minutes. The 31-year-old will look to clinch his 15th tour-level title on Sunday, in his first final since losing to Alexander Zverev in Montpellier last season. “I’m very happy to reach my sixth final here,” said Gasquet. “It’s quite amazing for me. I never expected that, to be in the final again. I played four big matches, especially today with one of the best players in the world.” The opening set was decided by one break of serve, as Gasquet turned the tables...
