Australian duo Kubler and Polmans beaten 7-6 (4), 6-4
Mertens and Shuai claim women’s doubles crown
Neal Skupski continued Britain’s impressive recent record in men’s doubles by winning the Australian Open title in tandem with the American Christian Harrison. The newly formed pair, playing in just their second tournament together, defeated the Australian wildcard duo Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans 7-6 (4), 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.
It is the third time in the past five grand slam tournaments that there has been at least one British winner, with Henry Patten lifting this trophy last year alongside Finn Harri Heliovaara before Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool triumphed at Wimbledon. Skupski and his former partner Joe Salisbury, meanwhile, reached the final of the French Open and US Open, coming up just short both times.
Salisbury said at the end of the season that he was taking a break from the sport because of anxiety, and mutual friends brought Skupski and Harrison together. They could not have imagined how quickly slam success would arrive but they were fully deserving winners of the title, with a Harrison ace clinching victory on their third match point.
