Australia’s dynamic duo Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata have followed in the footsteps of the Woodies and the country’s ‘Special K’ combination one year ago by charging to the 2023 Australian Open men’s doubles title.
In the space of 12 months Australia’s tennis stocks have spiked. And some of the profits have come from an unexpected source – doubles pairings who gel and thrive in the big events.
Kubler and Hijikata, who had never played a tournament together, defeated Hugo Nys, of Monaco, and Jan Zielinski, of Poland.
Australia’s Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata celebrate after winning the final. Credit:
They are the fifth unseeded men’s doubles combination to triumph in Melbourne in the open era.
In the final and best instalment of their magic carpet ride to a grand slam title, Kubler and Hijikata won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), dropping only two sets en route to one of the unlikeliest of championships.
Playing before an appreciative and supportive crowd which stayed around on Rod Laver Arena after witnessing a classic women’s singles final, Kubler and Hijikata were confident throughout and lifted a notch in the second set tiebreaker to close it out.
The fans were in raptures.
Their doubles triumph, a bolt from the blue, gives Australia back to back men’s doubles titles at the country’s home slam after Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis came from the clouds last year.
Remarkably, too, Australian men’s combinations have won four of the past five doubles titles after Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden won Wimbledon last year.
Before Kyrgios and Kokkinakis played the role of ultimate crowd pleasers last January, the previous successful all-Australian men’s doubles combination was Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 1997.
More to come
