History beckons for Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans after their gripping 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 semifinal win over Luke Johnson and Jan Zielinski propelled the Australian wildcards into the Australian Open men’s doubles final. The Melbourne faithful erupted as the home duo extended their improbable campaign.
Kubler, defying knee injury history with tape visibly strapped on, ignited the first set with acrobatic athleticism: an airborne smash for the break, then pinpoint returns for another, surging to 5-1. Polmans’ love-game hold polished off the stanza.
Second set turbulence hit when serves faltered – only 9/23 first deliveries in. Johnson-Zielinski capitalized to force a third. Resilience shone as Polmans navigated a marathon seventh game hold, followed by a decisive break. Zielinski’s mishit return ended it.
Their opponents? The battle-hardened Skupski-Harrison team, who straight-setted third seeds Granollers-Zeballos. Kubler eyes back-to-back AO wildcard glory post-2023; Polmans chases a maiden Slam final after 2017 semis here.
This final pits grit against experience, with national pride on the line. Melbourne Park braces for an epic.