WIMBLEDON, England — Former LSU tennis standout Ken Skupski fell in the gentlemens doubles draw, but defeated his first-round mixed doubles opponent with Katie OBrien on Thursday at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Skupski and OBrien defeated Ashley Fisher and Abigail Spears with a straight-set victory, 6-4, 6-4, to advance in the mixed doubles competition. The Great Britain duo will face second-round opponents Andre Sa and Ai Sugiyama at a time yet to be determined.
In gentlemens doubles, Skupski and partner Colin Fleming were narrowly edged out of advancing to the second round in a five-set standoff with Johan Brunstrom and Jean-Julien Rojer. Skupski and Fleming captured the first two sets, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5). Brunstrom and Rojer turned the tide in their favor after capturing the third set, 7-6 (7-3), before posting victory in sets four and five, 6-4, 6-4.
Skupski is currently ranked No. 130 in the ATP Individual Doubles Rankings released July 22.
The Liverpool native left LSU as one of the most decorated players in the history of the program and is competing at Wimbledon for the second time during his professional career.
Skupski first competed at Wimbledon in 2008 and is the second LSU player coached by head coach Jeff Brown to wear Wimbledon whites. Former LSU tennis player Dan Kiernan competed in doubles in both 2004 and 2005, capping his performance in the second round in 2005.
2009 Wimbledon Championships
June 22-July 5
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
Gentlemens Doubles
Johan Brunstrom (SWE)/Jean-Julien Rojer def. Colin Fleming (GBR)/Kenneth Skupski (GRB), 6-7 (4-7), 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4
Mixed Doubles
Ken Skupski (GBR)/Katie OBrien (GBR) def. Ashley Fisher (AUS)/Abigail Spears (USA), 6-4, 6-4