Heard about the day a Kiwi bested Borg in Paris? Or Steffi Graf and Gabriela Sabatini being beaten by an New Zealand-American combination? What about Brett Steven taking on the Woodies?
With Artem Sitak and Michael Venus still alive in the men's doubles in Melbourne, and Marina Erakovic oh-so-close defeat yesterday afternoon in the women's doubles, we take a look back at five great doubles moments for New Zealanders in Grand Slams in the Open era.
5. Russell Simpson makes Melbourne semi finals
Playing on the Kooyong grass, Simpson and American Billy Martin were among the last four teams standing at the 1980 Australian Open. They faced local pairing Mark Edmondson (who remains the last Australian man to win their home grand slam) and Kim Warwick in the semi finals, losing the deciding set in a tie break.
4. Steven Downs and James Greenlagh take Junior Wimbledon
Their success didn't translate to the senior arena but for a time in 1993 New Zealand tennis was on a high, after the outstanding achievements by Downs and Greenlagh in the junior ranks. In the space of a month they won two grand slams, lifting the trophy at Roland Garros before prevailing in a three set final 6-7 (6), 7-6(7-4), 7-5 at Wimbledon.
3. Brett Steven reaches last four at Roland Garros.
With partner Tommy Ho, Steven enjoyed a fantastic run at the French Open in 1995. They tipped out highly rated American duo Luke and Murphy Jensen - the predecessors to the Bryan brothers with worse hair and better guitars - for a spot in the last four. In the semi final Steven and Ho were stopped by Dutch pairing Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis, then ranked third and fourth in the world respectively for doubles.
Steven made doubles headlines again in 1998. Steven and Patrick Galbraith faced Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in the Wimbledon quarter finals, losing 0-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 3-6. At that time the `Woodies' had won five consecutive Wimbledon titles and the Australian retired with 11 grand slam titles.
