Stop us for those who’ve heard this story earlier than.
An unseeded Australian duo has taken the doubles competitors by storm and romped into the ultimate of the opening Grand Slam on the calendar.
Last yr it was Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis. In 2023 it is Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler’s flip.
The wildcard pairing booked their spot within the Australian Open doubles ultimate after taking down eighth seeded Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-4 6-2.
It was a dominating efficiency from the pair who’re ranked 163rd and 277th on this planet for doubles. They’ll now tackle Hugo Nys and Jan Zieliński within the ultimate.
The wildcards have sealed the upset ???? And what a spot to do it! ????
Rod Laver Arena erupts and so do the Australian pairing ????
Hijikata and Kubler win it 6-4 6-2. They’re off to the ultimate!#AO2023 • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/BGRvO3bRp0
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2023
In their post-game interview, Hijikata was requested what the preparation for the duo can be forward of the ultimate.
“(Jason can be) smashing on some lollies and Pepsi, and I’ll most likely sleep for many of the day tomorrow,” he said.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios were dubbed the ‘Special Ks’ last year and now Hijikata and Kubler are hoping somebody can give them a special moniker.
“We seem to have bad names for a nickname. We think of it and then there’s nothing,” Kubler said.
“Nothing that sounds that good. Hopefully someone can come up with something but if not, Jason and Rinky should be fine.”
“I do not know what he is saying, he does not know what I’m saying!” ????
You bloody legends!!! ????
???? #AusOpen LIVE | https://t.co/80XjQpwd6J#9WWOS #Tennis pic.twitter.com/O90i6wgYnO
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 26, 2023
The duo, much like the ‘Special Ks’, don’t do things like most normal doubles pairings with Kubler saying the pair have no idea what they’re talking about on court.
“It’s funny because at some stages we’re just yelling at each other,” Kubler said.
“I don’t know what he’s saying, he doesn’t know what I’m saying, he doesn’t know what I’m saying we’re just yelling.
“There’s occurs of vitality and we each play higher when there’s extra vitality. We’ll maintain it going. I don’t know what the chief is however we’re doing fairly properly proper now.”
