Defending champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool began the defence of their doubles crown in fine style in London as they registered straight sets win at the HSBC Championships.
Up against Francisco Cerúndolo and Brandon Nakashima, the 2025 Wimbledon champions held their nerve during a tense first set, before comfortably seeing the match out in the second, as they won 7-5 6-3.
The British duo looked in good touch out on Court 1 and wrapped up proceedings in 71 minutes to advance to the second round.
“Always a pleasure to be here in London,” said Cash. “The crowd was unbelievable. For a first round, it was packed out here, so it's nice to be back. We're looking forward to the rest of the week.”
Glasspool continued: “I thought it was difficult conditions out there. It was windy and there were not many easy guys to play. They're random, they’re singles boys. You don't really know what they're going to bring.
“Me and Julian did well to stick with it, we keep the pressure up throughout the match, and it paid off.”
The first set was always going to prove crucial, especially with doubles games being decided by a first-to-ten-point tiebreak rather than a third set.
And having broken their opponents in the fifth game to lead 3-2, Cash and Glasspool were rocked immediately as they lost their own service game to love.
Break points came and went in the seventh game for the Brits before the score reached 5-5.
But an excellent 11th game handed Cash and Glasspool the initiative as they gained their second break, before seeing out the set in the next.
“It's huge to take the first set,” continued Cash. “In doubles, I feel like any single point can change so many things.
“It was huge for us to get out of that first set and then we put the pressure on straight away in the second as well. Given the grass, any time you can sneak a quick break and then stay on serve, you're in a good position. We served it out from there.”
Cash and Glasspool seized the control in the second set as they secured an early break in the first game and were able to hold serve thereafter to get their Queen’s campaign off to a winning start.
“That's our game,” continued Glasspool. “We're big servers, so we're going to have to do that all throughout the week consistently if we want to have any chance of retaining the title.
“Queen’s is equally as important as Wimbledon. I don't think you can have a bad tournament here and then expect it to be easy to go and do well at Wimbledon. This is just as important, especially for the preparation.”
For the latest updates on the British summer grass court season, visit the LTA website, lta.org.uk
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