Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash are the fourth best doubles pairing on the ATP Tour this season In the latest edition of Second Serve, our weekly snapshot of the tours, BBC tennis reporterJonathan Jurejkolooks at the rise of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool following their Queen's victory. A historic triumph in the quaint surroundings of Queen's Club showed how the British doubles scene remains in rude health as Wimbledon approaches. Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool might not be as well known as some of their peers, but they are the in-form British pairing this year. Cash, 28, and Glasspool, 31, had already won two ATP Tour titles in 2025 but this one - on home turf for two players who live in south-west London - is the sweetest. The pair, who only teamed up last year, are the first all-British teamto lift the Queen's titlein the Open era. The success on Sunday is another feather in the cap for the nation's doubles guru Louis Cayer, who has transformed the quality and depth of the discipline since joining the LTA in 2007. "The system we play our tennis under â in terms of tactics and the way we want to play - is very much aligned. It's a philosophy," Glasspool told BBC Sport. The synchronisation in their patterns and positioning was clear in Cash and Glasspool's title-winning match over Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic, as well as the ability of both Britons to hit big and bold serves in the key moments. Forging a successful doubles partnership often comes down to circumstance and timing. Cash and Glasspool have known each other for several years, but they ended up together after both splitting with their previous full-time partners Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara - who paired up and won Wimbledon last year. "[Ending partnerships] is always difficult, but you can't forget this is a business as well," said Cash, who only started playing doubles full-time in 2022 after coming through the United States college system. "You have to do what is best for yourself â it has showed it was better for both Henry and I to go our separate ways. "We all still get on really well. Seeing the other Britons doing well and winning Grand Slams is definitely pushing everyone on." British number two Katie Boulter has laid bare theshocking scale of social media abuseshe receives, reopening the conversation abouthow the issue should be tackled. A fun way to attract new fans or damaging the careers of doubles specialists? Theannouncement of several superstar pairingsfor the new-look US Open mixed doubles event has been generating debate. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, one of the best grass-court players of her generation, says sheintends to retirelater this year. The most significant move in the ATP rankings this week sawJack Draperregain his spot as world number four. Reaching the Queen's semi-finals helped Draper move back to his career-high position and ensured he will be seeded fourth at Wimbledon next week. Why is that important? It means Draper will avoid the top two seeds Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz - who have won the past six majors between them - until at least the semi-finals, should the British number one get that far. Former world number oneDaniil Medvedevhas moved back into the top 10 after reaching the Halle final, whileAlexander Bublik- who won the title - has reclaimed a spot in the top 30. Like Draper, Italy'sJasmine Paolinihas received a Wimbledon seedings boost after climbing back to fourth in the WTA rankings. Paolini, who was beaten by Barbora Krejcikova in last year's SW19 final, cannot face Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula until the semi-finals. Paolini has traded places with China's Zheng Qinwen, while Nottingham championMcCartney Kesslerhas secured a Wimbledon seeding by rising to 32nd. And keep an eye onMarketa Vondrousovaat the All England Club. The 2023 Wimbledon champion has missed most of the past year after shoulder surgery, but she reminded everyone of her ability by winning the Berlin Open. Victory for Cash and Glasspool was not the only British doubles success story at the weekend. Olivia Nichollswon her first WTA title with Czech partner Tereza Mihalikova when the pair shocked French Open champions Paolini and Sara Errani in Berlin. Nicholls, 30, is the nation's leading women's doubles player after forging a strong partnership with Mihalikova and has climbed to a career-high ranking of 23rd. In the singles, Draper reached the Queen's last fourdespite suffering with tonsillitis,while Jacob Fearnley climbed to 51st in the rankings after a run to the quarter-finals. With Wimbledon now only a week away, many of the world's leading players are continuing their preparations at tour-level events in the UK, Germany and Spain. British number oneEmma Raducanuand reigning Wimbledon championKrejcikovaheadline the WTA event in Eastbourne, while the men's event features American world number fiveTaylor Fritz,plus BritonsFearnleyandCameron Norrie. Leading women's starsPegula, PaoliniandIga Swiatekare playing the WTA event in Bad Homburg, whileBen Shelton- who cracked the top 10 last week - is top seed at the ATP tournament in Mallorca. For those who have not got direct entry to Wimbledon, there is an opportunity to secure a place in the singles draws as qualifying takes place this week at Roehampton. Got any burning tennis questions you'd like us to answer? Submit them below and our Ask Me Anything team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits. 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How British pair became kings of Queen's - Second Serve
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash Make History with Queen's Doubles Victory"
TruthLens AI Summary
Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash have emerged as a formidable doubles pairing on the ATP Tour, currently ranking fourth this season. Their recent victory at Queen's Club marks a historic achievement as they become the first all-British team to win the title in the Open era. This triumph is particularly significant as it occurred in their home country, showcasing the strength of British doubles tennis as Wimbledon approaches. Cash and Glasspool, who only teamed up last year, have already secured two ATP Tour titles this season, with their recent win highlighting their chemistry and tactical alignment on the court. Their performance against Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic demonstrated their ability to execute powerful serves and maintain synchronization throughout the match, a testament to the coaching influence of Louis Cayer, who has been pivotal in enhancing the quality of British doubles tennis since joining the LTA in 2007.
The journey to their current success involved navigating personal and professional challenges, including the end of their previous partnerships with Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara, who have found success together by winning Wimbledon last year. Both players acknowledge the difficult nature of ending partnerships, but they also recognize the importance of making decisions that benefit their careers. Cash, who transitioned to full-time doubles play only in 2022, emphasized the competitive spirit fostered by their peers' successes, which motivates them to push their limits. The British tennis scene is abuzz with excitement as Wimbledon approaches, with several players, including Jack Draper and Olivia Nicholls, also making headlines with their recent performances. As the tournament draws near, the focus remains on how these players will fare on one of the sport's biggest stages, further contributing to the narrative of a revitalized British doubles landscape and the promising future of the sport in the country.
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