Venus, Skupski win tight semifinal in Vienna

Michael Venus and Neal Skupski have won their semifinal at the ATP 250 tournament in Vienna, reaching their first final since Eastbourne in June.

On Friday in the Austrian capital Venus and Skupski defeated the Argentinian duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6(7) 6-4 in one hour, 48 minutes.

In the first set, the Argentinians saved all five break points against them, while Venus and Skupski fended off the four there was in their service games. 

In the tiebreak, the Kiwi/British team shot out to a 4-0 lead, before Gonzalez and Molteni won five points in a row. 

The Argentinians had a set point at 6-5, with Molteni serving, but the 36-year-old blasted long with a forehand. 

Soon after Venus and Skupski had a set point on Gonzalez’s serve and after a baseline exchange, Skupski ripped a forehand winner down the line.

In the second set, Gonzalez and Molteni went up 4-2, but Venus and Skupski then won four games straight to clinch the victory.

In the final Venus and Skupski will play the winner of the match between Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler against Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten.

If Venus and Skupski win the final, it would be the 25th title of Venus’ career.