From the LTA

Britain’s No.1 male doubles pairing Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski have announced they are to end their partnership.

The pair have amicably agreed to go their separate ways for the 2011 season after struggling for form over recent months.

During their time together, “Flemski” as they are affectionately known in tennis circles, broke into the world’s top 50 for the first time in their careers and collected two ATP titles in Metz and St.Petersburg.

Speaking about the news, Fleming said:

“Ken and I are very proud of our achievements as a team. We came through Futures and then Challengers to win two ATP titles, play all four Grand Slams and represent Great Britain in Davis Cup.

“We will always be good friends but have decided that on the court it will be best for both of us to freshen things up with new partners as we look to reach the next level in tennis.”

Skupski added: “Colin and I decided it was best if we got a fresh start with someone new in 2011. We have had a lot of success over our time together and we really have enjoyed it.

“Things have been tough for us over the past few months and we thought it was the best move for both our careers. My thanks go to Louis Cayer for helping us throughout the course of our partnership.”

The pair haven’t ruled out playing together again in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas matches, if selected. Louis Cayer, who has coached Fleming and Skupski during their time together said:

“The guys have all the right to be proud as their rise to the top 50 was achieved only two years after pairing up together following University. They are great role models on and off the court and I will keep supporting them in their quest to win major tournaments.”

Fleming and Skupski will now look to end their doubles partnership on a high next week at the St.Petersburg Open in Russia.

Ken is having a well deserved week off at the moment after his brilliant week representing England at the Commonwealth games.

I think everyone who knows Ken was glued to the red button coverage over the weekend and everyone was proud, thrilled and inspired, not only by his tennis but also by his attitude. Fantastic.

Congratulations also to Ken’s partners in Delhi, Ross Hutchins & Sarah Borwell. Massive congratulations should also go to Ken’s other half, Colin Fleming and partner Jocelyn Rae who produced a fantastic fightback to win the Gold medal for Scotland in the mixed doubles.

From BBC Sport

From BBC Sport

Great Britain won their doubles rubber against Turkey to claim an unassailable 3-0 lead and prevent relegation to the Davis Cup’s lowest tier.

Leading 2-0 after Friday’s singles, Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski eased to a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win against Ergun Zorlu and Haluk Akkoyun in Eastbourne.

The victory preserves Britain’s Europe/Africa Zone Group II status.

“This job is done but we have to move British tennis forward. This is just a start,” said coach Leon Smith.

“It gives you great confidence having that doubles team. You know that on Saturday you’ve got a great chance of getting a result with these guys.”

Turkey’s chances were not helped when key player Marsel Ilhan, who lost to Ward in the singles on Saturday, opted to pull out before the game due to mental and physical tiredness.

The 23-year-old was replaced by the inexperienced Ergun Zorlu, boosting the confidence of the British pair, who were already heavy favourites.

Fleming and Skupski, who are nicknamed Flemski and have two ATP World Tour titles, always looked in control, and ultimately stemmed a run of five straight defeats for Britain in the Davis Cup, stretching back three years.

The biggest threat to the British pair early on was a smash from Zorlu that hit Skupski on the side of the head but, although clearly a little shaken, the Liverpudlian was able to continue after a short delay.

And after a break in the eighth game, the first set was easily won by the home pair.

Fleming and Skupski made it four games in a row with another break in the opening game of the second set to take a stranglehold on proceedings.

We felt if we went out there and played to the best of our ability we could get the job done.

But, having been utterly dominant on serve in the first set, suddenly Skupski’s delivery was under threat and having moved to 0-40, the Turks promptly broke straight back.

More break points came and went for the British pair in the fifth game and they had to wait another four games to break through again.

One break was also all that was required in the third set to seal a success that was Britain’s first since September 2007 when they beat Croatia, in Tim Henman’s final match, to book a place in the World Group.

Skupski said: “The guys put us in a great position on Friday and we felt if we went out there and played to the best of our ability we could get the job done, and we were able to do that.”

Smith could give reserve Alex Ward a chance in Sunday’s two dead rubbers, which are reduced to best of three sets, but hinted he was likely to stick with James Ward and Baker.