The duo secured a 7-5 6-4 win
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated fellow Australians Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in the men’s doubles final at the Australian Open to secure a maiden Grand Slam title.
The pair – known as the ‘Special Ks’ – registered a 7-5 6-4 win in front of a home crowd on Rod Laver Arena.
It came after Australian Ashleigh Barty won the women’s singles title earlier in the day.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, who won the Wimbledon boys’ title together in 2013, got off to a great start when they eventually made the most of their fourth break point for 6-5 before Kokkinakis served out to love.
However, Ebden and Purcell responded well at the start of the second set as Ebden followed up a stunning between-the-legs shot by winning the opening point.
The fairytale is complete 🏆
🇦🇺 @TKokkinakis and @NickKyrgios defeat Matt Ebden and Max Purcell 7-5 6-4 to become the #AO2022 men's doubles champions.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/eLAmS0l3Fq
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
Following four consecutive love holds in the second set, Ebden’s serve was broken to love to put Kyrgios and Kokkinakis within two games of the Australian Open doubles title.
The umpire was required to address the crowd for calling out during points, with Kyrgios demanding that the individuals who were making noises were removed from the area – which they eventually were.
Despite the off-court interference, Kokkinakis did well and held for a 5-3 lead and despite the ‘Special Ks’ failing to take their first match point in the following game, Kyrgios held to secure a maiden Grand Slam title.
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