**Former doubles champions Skupski and Krawczyk progress**

The grass courts of Wimbledon continued to showcase thrilling competition in the second round of the ladies' and gentlemen's doubles championships yesterday. Among the notable results, Great Britain's Neal Skupski and his American mixed doubles partner Desirae Krawczyk demonstrated their prowess, upsetting the challenging pairing of American Nathaniel Lammons and Russian-Spanish wildcard Alexandra Panova to advance to the quarter-finals.

Adding significant weight to their campaign was the formidable experience of Skupski, who won the prestigious Wimbledon men's doubles title in 2022 playing alongside fellow British player Joe Salisbury. This latest victory against well-known opponents further cements the dangerous doubles potential of the Skupski-Krawczyk combination, particularly when competing against fellow Americans. The path to the last eight now lies ahead of them, representing a notable success for British tennis ambitions on the largest stage.

The match itself was a tightly contested affair. Launched by Lammons and Panova, the early stages saw some vigour from the second seeds, including a breakpoint in the opening game. However, the British-American team found their rhythm and imposed their own game plan, focusing on solid returning and crucially converting their break point opportunities early in the second set. Skupski and Krawczyk, accustomed to navigating pressure points on the challenging Wimbledon surface, held their nerve effectively. They weathered several moments of pressure from the persistent American-Spanish pairing before finally breaking the opposition to secure the decisive break that sealed their passage.

The victory marks a positive step forward in the Skupski-Krawczyk partnership, who are exploring the possibilities of combining their efforts in Grand Slam tournaments. Competing against such strong opponents as Lammons and Panova provides valuable preparation and boosts confidence ahead of the tournament's fourth round. Conversely, the loss serves as a learning experience for the American wildcard team, who showed flashes of potential, including a powerful display from the all-American Nathaniel Lammons, but ultimately lacked consistency against higher-ranked opponents.

Krawczyk, whose reputation on the WTA tour is built on powerful forehands and consistent fundamentals, ensured she was in command on her preferred side. Skupski's leadership and experience on grass were again evident, guiding the team through periods where their serve-and-volley strategy faced resistance early on. Their progression means they have another significant hurdle, but the confidence gained from dispatching higher seeds is a potent weapon in their armoury as they aim to make a deeper run in the prestigious All England Club tournament.

This win adds another noteworthy landmark to Skupski's increasingly successful doubles career, while also highlighting the ongoing exploration of potential net partnerships within British tennis. Fans will be watching closely as Skupski and Krawczyk prepare to take on another strong pairing in what promises to be another exciting round of Wimbledon action this week.

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