While Ash Barty’s quest for glory in the women’s singles, and Roger Federer’s tilt at yet another Grand Slam title at the age of 38 may be capturing most of the attention this week, there are also plenty of intriguing storylines floating around the outside courts as the doubles events move into the latter stages.
From a 46-year-old who has been competing in Grand Slams since 1991, to the battle for Olympic berths, here’s just a few of the reasons to pay attention to the doubles this week.
1. Watch out for Coco
Coco Gauff’s already remarkable debut Australian Open is not yet over. Having thrilled fans with her run to the fourth round of the women’s singles, defeating defending champion Naomi Osaka along the way, Gauff is now into the quarterfinals of the women’s doubles alongside fellow teen rising star Cat McNally. With the athleticism of Gauff and the power of McNally, the duo makes a compelling pairing to watch and after taking out No.10 seeds Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara in three sets, they now face No.2 seeds Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic in the last eight.
2. Aussies on the move
Max Purcell and Luke Saville were on fire in 2019, making nine finals – winning seven of them – albeit on the lower-level challenger tour. The pair received a wildcard for the Australian Open and they have continued their form in Melbourne, reaching the quarterfinals having knocked out the No.8 seeds along the way. Meanwhile in the mixed doubles, Astra Sharma and John Patrick Smith are reviving memories of their memorable run to the final last year. The duo is now into the last eight after beating No.4 seeds Sam Stosur and Jean Julien Rojer.
3. The oldest player in the tournament
Federer was just a nine-year-old hotshot in Basel when Leander Paes turned up to his first Grand Slam – he lost in the second round of qualifying at Wimbledon 1991. Twenty-nine years on and 99 Grand Slams later, the Indian legend is still competing in the majors at the ripe old age of 46. Paes is no longer quite the Slam-winning machine he was at his peak – the last of his 18 major titles came in 2016 – but his mixed doubles partnership with Jelena Ostapenko are still capable of troubling anyone on their day. They are in action in a highly watchable second-round clash against Jamie Murray and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
4. Nick and Amanda
Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open men’s singles hopes may be over for another year after losing a titanic fourth-round tussle against Rafael Nadal. However, the Aussie still has a shot at Grand Slam glory in the mixed doubles. Kyrgios has forged a friendship with the talented American teenager Amanda Anisimova, who suffered the tragedy of losing her father suddenly last year. The pair are up against No.5 seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Nikola Mektic, in what is sure to be a highly-watchable second-round clash.
5. Olympic dreams
Doubles holds particular significance over the coming months because 2020 is an Olympic year, which means many players are teaming up with their compatriots in order to boost their hopes of qualifying for Games. In the women’s doubles, No.4 seeds Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova are looking for a good showing, while American pairing Jennifer Brady and Caroline Dolehide are also eyeing Tokyo.