British men win Wimbledon doubles

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have become the first all-British pairing to win the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon in the Open era.

A 6-2, 7-6 win secured the title in record time after David Pel of Netherlands and Australia’s Rinky Hijikata were swept aside in the new three-set format.

Cash, 28, and Glasspool, 31, were the first all-British pair to reach the final since Mike Davies and Bobby Wilson in 1960.

In 30C temperatures on Centre Court, the big-serving pair easily overpowered their opponents in the first set, hitting the same form that led them to serve 11 aces to their opponents’ none in the semi-final. There were jitters in the second set before they regained composure to take the title in a 7-3 tie-break.

The pair have been irresistible on grass this summer, having also become the first British men’s pair to win Queen’s in the Open era. They triumphed at Eastbourne, too, having knocked out defending Wimbledon champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara. Britons have been in the ascendancy in the doubles for several years, with Patten winning the title alongside Finnish partner Heliovaara last year.

Cash and Glasspool are the first all-British pairing to win the title since Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey in 1936. “It’s been one Brit [winner] the last couple of years, now we’ve given you two Brits,” said Glasspool. Cash added: “It means the world. Our team backed us all the way. To do it here is incredible.” 

In the men’s wheelchair doubles final, British pair Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid lost their title. The six-time winners and top seeds were beaten 7-6, 7-5 on Court One by Martin De La Puente from Spain and Dutchman Ruben Spaargaren.