Not going to be easy for the Skupskis, though the Aussie/Canuck partnership is a good bit less highly ranked than the fourth seeds they've just beaten in the first round (Begemann & Haase, CR 87):

QF:  Ken Skupski & Neal Skupski CR 230 (115+115) vs Rameez Junaid & Adil Shamasdin CR 159 (94+65)

BiF is now BiS again, as he has now reached Spanish territory, not expecting an update anytime soon. The fact that we paid his wages for this trip, just not good enough ;)

wolf wrote:

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Stircrazy wrote:

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Colin & Jonny are going to have their work cut out in the QF:

QF:  (1) Pierre-Hugues Herbert & Nicolas Mahut (FRA/FRA) CR 50 (30+20) vs Colin Fleming & Jonny Marray CR 135 (76+59)

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I have a feeling they might be getting a walkover. PHH retired in his singles match today and the match is not on the OOP for tomorrow. Then again they might just be giving PHH an extra day to rest.

If only our man on the ground hadn't left early. He hasn't even bothered to give us his take on the match today. Just no commitment this guy.

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Couldn't agree more. I'm a complete lightweight really.

Strange thing was, while I was there, I said to Colin (in front of Jamie) that he should change his tactics and lose in the qualies, get a lucky loser spot and then wait for the Top seeds to withdraw. It would be ironic if the latter were the case.  According to his tweet, Colin was expecting to play today. I guess that, as you have suggested, they are waiting 24 hours before making a decision.

OK. Belated match report for Jamie and John

Got the feeling all the way through the match that the guys were struggling with energy and perhaps a bit tired. The general atmosphere was flat for the most and although there were some fist pumps and hand slapping, I felt it was more to try and get the adrenaline going than anything else. Last week was a long week, having to play 2 qualies before going on to make the final. They only flew in on Tuesday late afternoon and had very little practise time on the court.

Having said that, they definitely had chances to win this match. After a comfortable hold to open they had 15-40 on the Istomin serve. Two big aces made it deuce but on the "killer" point, J/J got to the net and were in control, but a Golubev drive down the middle got the shout of "leave" when a volley was within reach, just clipped the back edge of the baseline. Chance gone.

The match then moved on to 5-5 with J/J creating a couple more BPs but not taking them. Up to this point their serve had been solid. However, Jamie missed a couple of balls on his service game to go 0-30 and then Ist/Gol each hit a massive return winner off 1st serves to break to love. Even then the set wasn't gone. This time on the Golubev serve, the guys had 30-40, but Jamie missed a fairly routine volley and John dumped a return off a 2nd serve into the net.

So the stand-out stat from the 1st set was BP conversions. J/J were 0-7 whilst I/G were 1/1.

The second set was even more serve dominated and from memory, they pairings had only 1 BP each but neither was taken. J/J went 4/1 up in the 2nd set tiebreak but then lost 5 points in a row leaving them facing 2 MPs at 6-4 down. They got one back on serve and then had a stroke of luck on the 2nd. A Golubev volley hit the tape, hovered, before dropping back on the right side (from a GB/Aus perspective of course). Another MP ensued at 7-6 when another drive was hit straight at Jamie at the net. He fended it off like a cricketer trying to play a viscious bouncer and somehow he framed it for a "clean" winner. Two points later it was 1 set all and I was beginning to believe it might just be their day.

In the MTB J/J were 7-6 up with a mini break and Jamie to serve. They lost the 1st of his two points as John couldn't get a full racket on a tough volley. Then disaster. A mis-communication. Jamie served, John crossed and Jamie stayed. Golubev just pushed his return into the open half of the court for an easy winner. Two big serves later and the match was gone.

The frustration was clear to see, but over the course of a long season, you aren't going to win all the close ones, whoever you are.

Bob in Spain wrote:

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wolf wrote:

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Stircrazy wrote:

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Colin & Jonny are going to have their work cut out in the QF:

QF:  (1) Pierre-Hugues Herbert & Nicolas Mahut (FRA/FRA) CR 50 (30+20) vs Colin Fleming & Jonny Marray CR 135 (76+59)

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I have a feeling they might be getting a walkover. PHH retired in his singles match today and the match is not on the OOP for tomorrow. Then again they might just be giving PHH an extra day to rest.

If only our man on the ground hadn't left early. He hasn't even bothered to give us his take on the match today. Just no commitment this guy.

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[...] According to his tweet, Colin was expecting to play today. I guess that, as you have suggested, they are waiting 24 hours before making a decision.

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There's still no sign of anything on any of the draw sheets, but they're not on today's live OoP, whereas the other three QFs all are, so wolf may well be right. 

Ken and Neil lost the first set 6-4 currently 4-4