Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek have dethroned last year's men's doubles champions Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram, in a composed performance where they didn't face a single break point.
It was an emotional moment for the pair, especially for Polasek, who retired from tennis in 2013 to nerve issues and loose discs in his back before returning five years' later.
It was only fitting that the Slovakian got to serve for the match and the championship, holding his nerve and delivering a 6-3, 6-4 win. It was a marvellous week for him, revealing post-match that his fiance gave birth to their second child just two days ago.
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"Thanks again to Tennis Australia and everyone involved in this tournament to put together in these difficult times. It is just challenging and a tremendous effort," he said at the trophy presentation.
"Last but not least, I would like to thank our team.
"Ivan's brother and the coaches at home and all the others that are putting so much effort in to make this happen. Also thanks to our family who were sticking with us in the good and the bad times."
The pair will split $600,000 in prizemoney.
"This is our first grand slam together, we're having a lot of fun and hopefully it will continue," Dodig said.
It's the Croatian's first slam since 2015, and second overall.
"What an incredible moment for those two men, especially for Filip Polasek," said commentator Dylan Alcott.
"You can't imagine that when you have five years away from the sport that you would be back in this moment, standing on Rod Laver Arena as a Grand Slam champion.
"If you told them that five years ago I think you would have told you to get stuffed."
Alcott said the pair played 'unbelievably', and that the scoreline favoured their opponents. Even Salisbury himself couldn't disagree.
"They were way too good today, it's got to be one of the best performances in a final ever," Salisbury said post-match.
"We got much more to do ... It was great to play in front of fans, like I said yesterday. We'll be back next year," added Ram, who won the mixed doubles with Barbora Krejcikova last night.
from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/ivan-dodig-and-filip-polasek-win-mens-doubles/ce83e398-c107-416c-ba41-2f57e17aad7a
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