Novotna and Sukova Succeess ©AELTC / G. Kirk

Former ladies singles champion Jana Novotna collected another piece of Wimbledon silverware as she teamed up with fellow Czech Helena Sukova to win the Ladies' Invitation Doubles.

The pair, who won the ladies' doubles title together in 1989 and 1990, before splitting up and winning further titles with other partners, beat South African Ilana Kloss and Rosalyn Nideffer of the US 6-3, 6-3.

Though Novotna and Nideffer are the current holders of the cup, today they played on opposite sides of the net.

The Czech pair were more composed throughout, using careful shot selection to make life challenging for their opponents. Novotna showed she still has the power to leave her opponents standing with pristine passing shots from both hands.

A late rally in the second set by Nideffer and Kloss was not enough to stop the winning streak of the Czechs.

Novotna is the holder of 12 grand slam doubles titles and four mixed titles from her long playing career. In addition to those, this was her fourth Ladies' Invitation Doubles cup in a row.

In the Gentlemen’s Invitation Doubles, Britons Mark Petchey and Chris Wilkinson were up against the Netherlands pairing of Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis.

Despite good home support for the British pair, the stronger pedigree of Eltingh and Haarhuis showed through, as they won 6-2, 6-2.

Together the Dutch pair had won the men’s doubles championships at Wimbledon in 1998, which broke the five-year winning streak of the "Woodies", Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge, whom they beat in the final that year. It was a big year for the pair as they also won the 1998 French Open.

The Dutch pair wore their country’s colour with an orange wristband on their wrists. And despite the dramatic efforts of Petchey, who made a diving volley in the first set, Eltingh and Haarhuis were simpler faster and more nimble around the court in this good-humoured and warmly-appreciated match.

In the Senior Gentlemen's Invitation Doubles, Briton Jeremy Bates ensured at least one British success at this year's Championship as he and Swedish partner Anders Jarryd beat Kevin Curren and Johan Kriek, both born in South Africa but representing the US.

Curren and Kriek are the holders of this title, but they were outplayed by Bates and Jarryd, who won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Spectators were treated to a well-fought, friendly encounter which contained classic, breath-stopping net rallies, as well as tight serving and aggressive ground strokes. The British-Swedish duo needed a couple of Championship points to clinch the deal on the Bates’ serve.

The win for Bates was certainly timely as this summer marks the 20th anniversary of his triumph in the Mixed Doubles Championships with Jo Durie.

Written by Sally Easton

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