Krawczyk, Skupski successfully defend Wimbledon mixed doubles title

LONDON: American-British duo Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski clinched their second straight Wimbledon mixed doubles title on Thursday after sweeping aside Australia's Matthew Ebden and Sam Stosur 6-4, 6-3 on Centre Court. The second seeds edged a close first set and stepped up their game in the second, roaring back from an early break down to win four consecutive games and wrap up victory in an hour and 27 minutes.

The Australian duo failed to get a foothold in the second set, with Krawczyk's left-handed serve and Skupski's deft play at the net causing them constant trouble.

Krawczyk and Skupski became the first pair to successfully defend the mixed doubles title at the All England Club since Czech brother-sister duo Cyril Suk and Helena Sukova in 1997.

"I was a little bit nervous starting off. But I got through that first service game pretty well, serving well, hit a few aces," Skupski, who came through a 26-point service game at 2-2 in the opener, told reporters.

It was the fourth mixed doubles Grand Slam crown for 28-year-old Krawczyk, who won all the majors except the Australian Open last year. Agencies

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