IN the mixed doubles final of the 2022 Australian Open was a Filipino-Australian, Jason Kubler, 28, who partnered with another Australian, Jamee Fouris, 22.
After an incredible run to the final, the pair went down to to Kristina Mladenovic (seven titles) and Ivan Dodig (three titles) 6-3, 64, for the mixed doubles championship trophy at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday, January 28, 2022..
Neither Kubler nor Fouris had previously won a tour-level doubles title, yet the wildcards knocked out a series of big names on their way to the final. In fact, it was the first time they had paired in competition.
Kubler-Fouris upset the seventh seeds, which included reigning Wimbledon and Olympic men’s doubles champion Mate Pavic in the first round before a shock win over fellow Australians Matt Ebden and seven-time grand slam doubles winner Sam Stosur.
Kubler and Fouris went on to defeat Rajeev Ram (four grand slam doubles titles) and Sania Mirza (six titles) in the quarters, then dumped Hradecka (three titles) and Escobar in the semis.
Jason Kubler was born on May 19, 1993 in Brisbane, Queensland.
| In 2009, Kubler became just the second player in history – alongside Rafael Nadal – to go undefeated through the World Youth Cup and Junior Davis Cup. |
In 2011, he received a wildcard entry into his first and only junior tournament of the year at Wimbledon where he reached the semi-finals.
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PIctures:
+ JASON KUBLER in action at the nets.
+ JAMEE FOURIS, right, and JASON KUBLER celebrate their win at the semi-finals.
