More success for New Zealand in doubles at Wimbledon

This year’s Wimbledon looks set to go down as one of the best ever for New Zealand, with Erin Routliffe and Michael Venus both winning their respective doubles quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Erin Routliffe and Canada’s Gabby Dabrowski beat Barbora Krejcikova from the Czech Republic and Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4 in the ladies’ doubles.

Earlier in the day Venus and Neal Skupski defeated Constantin Frantzen and Hendrik Jebens 7-6(1) 7-6(1) on No 18 Court in the gentlemen’s doubles.

Venus and Routliffe are due on No 1 court later on Wednesday for their mixed doubles quarterfinal against Henry Patten and Olivia Nicholls.

It is the third doubles semifinal at Wimbledon in Venus’ career and his first since 2019. It is also his first semifinal at any grand slam since then.

The victory also extends his winning streak with Skupski to 12 matches.

“We always knew going into this match that these guys have very big serves, they’re big guys, so there’s a presence at the net, even if you’re able to get the serve back,” Venus said.

“So we knew it was going to be a day where we needed to stay mentally focussed and there wasn’t going to be a lot of rallies, or a lot of rhythm.

“If you slip up with those guys, you’re going to be in some trouble trying to claw it back.

"It’s amazing how Neal returned in those tiebreakers and hit some great shots early on in them that gave us a bit of breathing room and it’s great to be able to get through.”

The wins by Venus and Routliffe continued to make this a special Wimbledon for New Zealand tennis and Venus said it’s been fantastic to watch Sun and Routliffe do so well.

“Lulu’s story speaks for itself, it was an incredible run she had,” Venus said. 

“It showed the level she’s playing at and coming up in the future at the big tournaments I’m sure we’ll see some great things from her.

“There is no real surprise with Erin, she’s ranked No 3 in the world,” Venus added.

“You don’t get that ranking off one tournament and she’s been doing consistently well at the big tournaments.

“I have put some matches together and it’s great to be in this position also.”

Routliffe got to play in the very last match of the day again on Wednesday as she and Venus teamed up for a 5-7 7-5 11-9 win over Britain’s Henry Patten and Olivia Nicholls on No 1 Court.

The result puts them into the quarterfinals and they’ll next play against Skupski and Desirae Krawczyk.

However, Routliffe admitted it wasn’t easy to beat Patten and Nicholls.

“They are obviously very good, two Brits who are really comfortable on the grass,” she said.

“Henry is really hot right now, he’s in the (men’s) semis against Mike tomorrow and I know Olivia pretty well and know it’s her favourite tournament and favourite surface and she’s obviously going to thrive here.

“I was on the court for a while earlier, so I was quite tired, but I pushed through and really happy to get the win so we can get another chance."