Michael Venus extends Queen’s streak, eyes back-to-back titles

Michael Venus has extended his winning streak at Queen’s in London to seven matches and will aim to secure back-to-back doubles titles at the prestigious ATP tournament on Sunday.

Venus, who won the Queen’s title last year alongside Britain’s Neal Skupski by defeating Taylor Fritz and Karen Khachanov in the final, is back in another championship match — this time partnering Croatia’s Nikola Mektic.

In Saturday’s semifinal, Venus and Mektic came through a testing clash against Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, winning 6-3 7-5. 

Fearnley showed resilience early on, saving a deciding point deuce in the opening game. However, the pressure soon told: serving at 2-2, he double faulted four times in one game and added two more double faults later at 3-5, including one on set point.

Venus also faced tense moments on his own serve in the second set, crucially fending off a deciding point at 3-3 when Fearnley netted a low forehand. From there, both teams held serve until the final game. 

Serving at 5-6, Fearnley and Norrie made mistakes, a double fault and back-to-back errors left them facing match points. Although they saved the first, Venus sealed the win with a forehand winner before celebrating with Mektic.

Reflecting on the sudden death deuces, Venus said: “We had two on my serve in the second set, and I hit two first serves, and they actually had two good returns, and I just kind of scraped a half volley. 

“I was just trying to make it back in the court, really, and we fended off a few shots, and then had the upper hand in the point and ended up winning it, which was fortunate, because a lot of times if those guys hit those returns, the chances of winning those points are not so high.”

He also explained the challenge of facing singles specialists in doubles. “With guys like that, they don’t really have one weakness or thing they can’t do,” he said. 

“So it becomes challenging, you have to keep changing things up and mixing it up, because if you do the same things too much, with guys like that, who hit the ball well, they can hit all the shots, and start opening up the court.”

Venus credits the grass courts at Queen’s as an important factor in his consistent results at the tournament.

“I had a great result here last year with Neal, and we’re playing well again this year here (with Mektic). 

“Grass is a short season, but it’s also always been one that’s provided me a decent amount of points and success. I think it suits my game, and I feel comfortable once I step on the grass. So just excited to be in another final.”

Venus and Mektic will now look to lift the trophy and head into Wimbledon with winning momentum.

Meanwhile, Lulu Sun has been drawn against top seed Daria Kasatkina for next week’s tournament in Eastbourne.