Scotsman Jamie and Brazilian Bruno Soares came back from a set down to claim their first Grand Slam doubles title with a 2-6 6-4 7-5 win over veterans Radek Stepanek and Daniel Nestor in the Australian Open doubles final. Jamie Murray, the elder brother of Andy, claimed his first doubles titles at Grand Slam level after losing hs previous two finals alongside Jonathan Peers at Wimbledon and at the US Open. Soares clinched his first doubles titles after finishing runner-up in his first final alongside Alexander Peya at the 2013 US Open. With today’s triumph Jamie has joined his brother Andy as Grand Slam champion. Andy could complete an historic singles and doubles family double if he will beat Novak Djokovic in tomorrow’s singles final.
Nestor and Stepanek, who were the oldest team in the Open Era to play a doubles Grand Slam final with a combined age of 80, broke serve to open up a 3-1 lead in the first set. They got a double break after Soares made a double fault to wrap up the first set 6-2 after 38 minutes. Nestor and Stepanek, who won 10 Grand Slam doubles titles collectively, fired 10 aces and fended off the only break point chance they faced.
Murray and Soares got their first break on their 8th break point chance to take a 3-2 lead in the second set. Murray earned three set points on serve an converted the first chance for 6-4 when Nestor hit a forehand wide.
Murray and Soares carried the momentum into the third set breaking serve in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. Nestor fended off a match point with a return.
Nestor and Stepanek converted on their third break point to draw level to 5-5. Murray and Soares broke Nestor’s serve earning a second chance to serve out for the match. Soares closed it out on the third match point when Stepanek hit his forehand return into the net.
Murray and Soares have clinched their second title as a team after winning in Sydney two weeks ago and reaching the semifinal in Doha. They have become the first doubles team to win a Grand Slam title in their first Grand Slam tournament since Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock triumphed at Wimbledon on their debut as a team in 2014. There has been a different doubles champion at the Australian Open for five consecutive years. Soares has become the second Brazilian doubles player to win a Grand Slam doubles title after Marcelo Melo, who lifted the 2015 Roland Garros title.
“I think when you get up there, you realise what you have done and you want to thank everyone that’s been with you along in the journey. It hasn’t always been rosy for me. A lot of ups and downs in my career. Thankfully things have started to really pick up in the last year or so. I had Louis with me on and off, but for 10 years. He is the guy that made it happen for me to have success on the doubles court. He really believed that I could do great things. It took me a lot longer to realize it”, said Murray.
“you dream about this moment since you start playing tennis. I would like to thank Danny and Radek. Danny was one of my idols, an inspiration and a good friend. Radek as well. I just hope I and Jamie can carry that and have a chance to play for many more matches like that”, said Bruno Soares.
Jamie’s younger brother Andy attended the match and filmed the tophy presentation on his mobile phone.
“Andy, you should be in bed. I don’t know why you are here taking photos”, joked Jamie.