Aussie duo Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden will contest the gentlemen’s doubles final today at Wimbledon.
London, Great Britain, 9 July 2022 | Leigh Rogers
For the first time in 22 years, an all-Australian team has advanced to the gentlemen’s doubles final at Wimbledon.
Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell’s path to their first final at the All England Club has been extraordinary too.
The No.14 seeds have saved eight match points (three in their opening round and an incredible five in the semifinals), eliminated three seeded teams and spent more than 16 hours on court.
Four of their five matches have extended to five sets and they have twice recovered from two-set deficits to keep their title hopes alive.
Their perseverance has paid off, propelling them into a final showdown with defending champions Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic.
The second-seeded Croatians are aiming to become the first team to defend their Wimbledon title since Canadian Daniel Nestor and Serbia’s Nenad Zimonjic in 2009.
Ebden and Purcell are eyeing history of their own, as they look to become the first all-Australian champions since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 2000.
It would also be a first Grand Slam men’s doubles title for 34-year-old Ebden and 24-year-old Purcell.
Nine Australians are in action on day 13, including Heath Davidson in the quad wheelchair singles semifinals. He faces world No.1 Niels Vink for a place in the final.
Play begins from 8pm AEST and is broadcast live in Australia on the Nine Network and Stan Sport.
Aussies in action:
[14] Matthew Ebden (AUS)/Max Purcell (AUS) v [2] Nikola Mektic (CRO)/Mate Pavic (CRO)
Gentlemen’s doubles, final, Centre Court, second match
World No.31 Ebden and world No.34 Purcell have advanced to their second Grand Slam final of the season. After a runner-up finish at the Australian Open, they are hoping to go one better at Wimbledon. The Aussie combination face world No.3 Pavic and world No.6 Mektic, who have scooped two grass-court titles so far this season and are on a 23-match winning streak on grass.
Head-to-head record: First career meeting
Heath Davidson (AUS) v [1] Niels Vink (NED)
Quad wheelchair singles, semifinals, Court 14, first match (from 8pm AEST)
Davidson stormed into the semifinals with a comprehensive win against world No.3 Andy Lapthorne in his debut at the All England Club earlier this week. The 35-year-old Australian faces a bigger test today, pitted against world No.1 Vink….
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