Special K’s round out a special night for Aussie tennis as they claim their maiden Grand Slam title
After the wonderful win for Ash Barty in the women’s final, we knew that an Australian pair would also hoist the men’s doubles trophy.
The final was contested by Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios taking on Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.
Embed from Getty ImagesPurcell had reached the 2020 final with Luke Saville, losing to Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis had never gone past a third round in doubles at a Grand Slam and at this event they never imagined what lay ahead for them.
The long-time best mates played a brand of tennis that upset some along the way but they generated a level of interest not seen for a long time in men’s doubles.
The Special K’s were packing the stadiums in which they played. First, it was the 5,000 seat Kia Arena, then Rod Laver Arena for the semis and final.
In the final it was Ebden and Purcell that played the more traditional style of doubles where they would try to take position at the net, Kokkinakis and Kyrgios were more intent to blast away from the back of the court.
The key moment in the first set was when Kokkinakis and Kyrgios broke in the 11th game before serving out to love to take the first set 7-5.
In the second set there were plenty of love games but things tightened up in seventh game when Ebden and Purcell were broken to love.
The next game saw the K’s pushed to deuce before holding for a 5-3 lead.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis then had a championship point in the following game before Ebden and Purcell held after a six minute game.
It was then on the racquet of Kyrgios to serve for the title.
Two big Aces helped the pairing claim the match when holding to love.
After 1 hour and 35 minutes it was a 7-5, 6-4 victory for the Special K’s.
Both said the win was the highlight of their careers.
Now the future is unknown as Kyrgios isn’t committing to play doubles at further Grand Slams in 2022, the pairing might make an appearance at the US Open.
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