New Zealand No1 Michael Venus is into the second round of the Australian Open, winning his men's doubles match on Thursday afternoon.
Venus and partner Oliver Marach of Austria outlasted Peter Gojowczyk (Germany) and Lukas Rosol (Czech Republic) 6-3 7-6 (4).
The result continues the momentum for Venus, after his historic singles victory at the Heineken Open last week. It is also the second successive grand slam where the 27-year-old has passed the first round, after he reached the third round in the doubles at the US Open last year.
The match was played in oppressive conditions in the middle of the Melbourne afternoon sun, in temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius.
As always in doubles the margins were fine but Venus and Marach were slightly better on the big points, which proved the difference in the end.
