Men’s doubles pairs salvage British pride at Roland Garros after singles humiliation

Men’s doubles pairs salvage British pride at Roland Garros after singles humiliation as Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski come through tough three-setter while Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram defeat second seeds to progress

  • The British players will meet each other in the final if they continue winning
  • Salisbury and Ram have already qualified for the last-ever ATP Finals in London
  • Murray and Skupski are in line to join them at the season-ending tournament

The woes of British singles players at Roland Garros have been forgotten by the country’s leading doubles men, three of whom are into the quarter finals of the French Open.

Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski led the way on Saturday by knocking out the No 2 seeds Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers 6-4 3-6 6-4. 

They were joined by Joe Salisbury and American partner Rajeev Ram, who defeated French team Fabrice Martin and Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-2.

Jamie Murray (right) has equalled his best showing at a French Open alongside Neal Skupski

Their progress in Paris puts GB on track to have two partnerships with home interest in the valedictory edition of the season-end ATP Finals in London, which is due to be played at the 02 Arena next month.

Salisbury and Ram have already qualified for the eight-team event while Murray and Skupski are in sixth position in the standings.

‘Every doubles team’s first goal at the start of the year is to try to qualify for the Tour Finals,’ said Murray. ‘ Obviously this year is a very different kind of season, and there’s a lot of teams very bunched together.

Joe Salisbury (left) and Rajeev Ram overcame French duo Fabrice Martin and Jeremy Chardy

Joe Salisbury (left) and Rajeev Ram overcame French duo Fabrice Martin and Jeremy Chardy

‘We have played two Masters Series and a Slam (US Open) with half the points, and one at the start of the year (Australia), so this event here is big. You want to go and play in London. 

‘It’s the last time that it’s going to be there as well, so there’s a lot of motivation to try to get there. Whether it’s with fans or not I guess that remains to be seen.’