Can Local Wildcards Kubler and Polmans Reach the Men’s Doubles Final at Aus Open?
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Key Takeaways
Melbourne, Jan 29 (NationPress) Hometown wildcards Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans have showcased their skill at the Australian Open, earning a spot in the men's doubles final after a thrilling three-set victory of 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 against Great Britain's Luke Johnson and Poland's Jan Zielinski on Thursday.
Kubler is aiming for his second doubles title at the Australian Open, having won alongside Rinky Hijikata, also as wildcards, in 2023. Meanwhile, Polmans, who reached the semifinals with Andrew Whittington back in 2017, was the standout player on the court today and is set to compete in his first Grand Slam final.
Despite dealing with a bandaged left knee due to multiple surgeries, Kubler displayed no signs of discomfort as he executed a spectacular smash to achieve the first break of the match. Shortly after, he secured another break with consecutive return winners on the ad side, holding serve for 5-1. Polmans then wrapped up the set convincingly by holding to love.
However, both players encountered challenges in the second set with their first serves, landing only 9 of 23, allowing the momentum to shift. Polmans managed to hold serve during a tough seventh game of the third set, and the Aussie duo broke Johnson in the next game. They clinched victory when Zielinski returned a Kubler serve long, as reported by Aus Open.
“That’s the beauty of doubles – it’s all about teamwork. There are days when I might not be on my game, like today, but Marcy really stepped up. I’m sure there will be moments when Marcy is off, and I’ll have to rise to the occasion,” Kubler stated.
The Australian duo will face Great Britain's former world No. 1 Neal Skupski and American Christian Harrison, who, as the experienced sixth seeds, dispatched third-seeded Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in straight sets in the other semifinal.
This new pairing of Harrison and Skupski, who both competed at last year's ATP Finals with different partners, came together for the first time in Adelaide earlier this month, where they reached the semi-finals.