Tennis: Wimbledon '93 / Top seeds end hope of Bates and Durie repeat

Thursday 01 July 1993 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

JEREMY BATES and Jo Durie failed in their attempt to repeat their 1987 Wimbledon mixed doubles triumph, losing to the top seeds, Todd Woodbridge and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, in the quarter-finals yesterday.

The British pair, who won another Grand Slam title in Melbourne in 1991, were beaten 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. But the efforts of the old guard of domestic tennis, as they recovered from a one-set deficit, captivated the crowd on Court One until Sanchez Vicario drilled a winning backhand volley into an open court with the light beginning to fade after one hour and 41 minutes.

Durie, her right knee strapped following surgery six weeks ago, proved the more brittle of the two Britons, surrendering her serve twice in the first set, once in the second to allow their opponents a reprieve when they trailed 5-0 and decisively in the final set.

Woodbridge, a doubles specialist, was left to serve out for a place in the last four and he nearly 'choked' when he double-faulted to make the score 30- 30. But a crisp forehand volley secured a match point, before the Spaniard's winning shot.

Sanchez Vicario, meanwhile, has parted company with her coach, Carlos Kirmayr, who said he was terminating their relationship for personal reasons. The Spaniard, who is ranked No 3 in the world, won three tournaments during the five months that they worked together.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in