STUART FRASER

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TENNIS
A REMARKABLE YEAR FOR COLIN FLEMING
Freelance Article
By Stuart Fraser
Friday 19th June 2009

What a difference a year in sport makes! It’s an old cliché that is used so often but one that is not out of place when discussing the past 12 months for Colin Fleming.

This time last year, the 24-year-old was about to embark on a return to the professional tour after a gap of two years in which he completed his studies to gain a degree in economics and finance and spent a brief time working for Scottish Power.  During Wimbledon finals weekend, Fleming was playing in a small tournament on the Scottish circuit in Oban and won a tight three set final to earn a £200 winners cheque.

Next week, the Scottish No.2, from Linlithgow, will head to Wimbledon after being awarded a wild card into the doubles main draw with partner Ken Skupski, from Liverpool.  It caps a remarkable year in which he has risen to No.493 in the singles world rankings and No.150 in doubles.

Ask the Scot if it feels surreal to compare and contrast his situation with 12 months ago and although he agrees, he knows why this has happened. “It is surreal if you compare it like that but it is a year where I have put in a lot of hard work,” says Fleming. “I have had a lot of good wins and I have been very dedicated to it so I see it as a reward for that.”

Since his comeback, Fleming has won five futures and two challenger titles with Skupski.  His form earned him a call-up to Britain’s Davis Cup squad in March where he and partner Ross Hutchins lost a tight five set doubles rubber against Ukraine.

The biggest moment of the Scot’s career, as well as Skupski’s, came last week though at the AEGON Championships at Queen’s.  Awarded a wild card into the main draw, the pair claimed what is being hailed by some as Britain’s greatest ever doubles win with victory over America’s Bryan Brothers, who boast the career grand slam and Davis Cup amongst their list of achievements.

Skupski, aged 26, was delighted with the result and feels confident on grass. “I actually think grass is one of our favourite surfaces so we are very confident going onto these courts,” says Skupski.  “There are a lot of foreigners who don’t particularly like grass as it’s a bit too quick for them, the ball stays low and the climate in England favours us because we are used to it.”

The pair, nicknamed Flemski, continued their great run of form this week at the AEGON International in Eastbourne with victory over Queen’s finalists Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa and Fleming is looking forward to returning to SW19 after partnering Jamie Murray in 2006. “I can’t wait, especially after last week in which we got a few wins and beat the Bryan brothers,” says Fleming.  “It’s great to be going into it with a lot of confidence and momentum so I just can’t wait for it.”

It has been a remarkable year so far for the Scot and who is to argue against things getting even more remarkable over the next fortnight at the All England Club for this British wild card pairing.