Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans have ignited Australian Open fever by storming into the men’s doubles final as wildcards. The pair’s 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of Britain’s Luke Johnson and Poland’s Jan Zielinski in the semis has fans dreaming of home glory.
Playing through pain, Kubler’s bandaged knee didn’t hinder heroics. He smashed overhead for an early break, then unleashed return winners en route to a 5-1 first-set bulge. Polmans held to nil, taking it comfortably.
Serve inconsistencies (9/23 first serves) cost them set two, but the third saw Polmans repel break points in game seven before the duo cracked Johnson’s delivery. A wayward Zielinski return confirmed victory.
Final foes: Ex-world No. 1 Neal Skupski and Christian Harrison, victors over Granollers-Zeballos. Kubler, 2023 champ with Hijikata, seeks repeat magic; Polmans targets first Slam final since 2017 semis.
From qualifiers to finalists, their journey embodies AO spirit. Will they conquer the summit?