Melbourne, Australia, 24 January 2022 | Leigh Rogers

Matt Ebden and Max Purcell have scored another impressive win to book their place in the Australian Open 2022 men’s doubles quarterfinals.

The Australian combination recorded their second consecutive victory against a seeded team, beating No.13 seeds Raven Klaasen of South Africa and Ben McLachlan of Japan 7-6(3) 6-3 at Kia Arena today.

A dominant serving display was the key to Ebden and Purcell’s success, firing nine aces and winning 88 per cent of their first serve points.

They saved all three break points they faced in the 89-minute encounter as well, which came in Ebden’s final service game. From 0-40 down, the Aussies won the final five points of the match.

“The last game was a tricky one,” Ebden said. “But we held our composure, stayed strong and got it done. So we’re super happy.”

This equals 34-year-old Ebden’s career-best result in an Australian Open men’s doubles competition, matching the world No.55’s quarterfinal run last year.

It is a second AO quarterfinal for 23-year-old Purcell as well, who previously reached this stage in 2020.

It is their second Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance as a team, having also progressed to this stage at last year’s US Open.

“I’m really fortunate to have Matty take me under his wing on the doubles court and hopefully we can take it further this week,” world No.34 Purcell said.

Ebden and Purcell now face in-form Dutchman Wesley Koolhof and Brit Neal Skupski in the quarterfinals. The No.10 seeds are currently on an 11-match winning streak after scooping titles in Melbourne and Adelaide earlier this month.

“In our home Slam and with this crowd behind us, we just want to go crazy and go for it. That’s our plan,” Ebden said of the match-up.

Unfortunately Aussie wildcards Dane Sweeny and Li Tu won’t be joining them in the quarterfinals, after losing their third-round clash with American Rajeev Ram and Brit Joe Salisbury today.

The No.2 seeds and AO 2020 champions recorded a 6-4 6-4 win at John Cain Arena, ending a dream Grand Slam doubles debut for the Aussie pair.

In women’s doubles action, Australian Storm Sanders continued her career-best run alongside American Caroline Dolehide.

The No.9 seeds scored a straight-sets win against Ukrainians Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska to move into the quarterfinals.

> READ: Sanders and Dolehide storm into AO 2022 quarterfinals

Australian Open 2022

TODAY’S RESULTS
Men’s doubles, third round
Matt Ebden (AUS)/Max Purcell (AUS) d [13] Raven Klaasen (RSA)/Ben McLachlan (JPN) 7-6(3) 6-3
[2] Rajeev Ram (USA)/Joe Salisbury (GBR) d [WC] Dane Sweeny (AUS)/Li Tu (AUS) 6-4 6-4

Women’s doubles, third round
[9] Storm Sanders (AUS)/Caroline Dolehide (USA) d Marta Kostyuk (UKR)/Dayana Yastremska (UKR) 6-4 6-4

Mixed doubles, second round
[2] Zhang Shuai (CHN)/John Peers (AUS) d Bernarda Pera (USA)/Wesley Koolhof (NED) 7-5 6-3
[WC] Jaimee Fourlis (AUS)/Jason Kubler (AUS) d [WC] Sam Stosur (AUS)/Matt Ebden (AUS) 3-6 7-5 [11-9]

COMING UP
Men’s doubles, quarterfinals
[5] John Peers (AUS)/Filip Polasek (SVK) v [3] Marcel Granollers (ESP)/Horacio Zeballos (ARG)
[WC] Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)/Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v [6] Tim Puetz (GER)/Michael Venus (NZL)
Matt Ebden (AUS)/Max Purcell (AUS) v [10] Wesley Koolhof (NED)/Neal Skupski (GBR)

> VIEW: Australian Open 2022 men’s doubles draw

Women’s doubles, quarterfinals
[9] Storm Sanders (AUS)/Caroline Dolehide (USA) v [1] Barbora Krejcikova (CZE)/Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

> VIEW: Australian Open 2022 women’s doubles draw

Mixed doubles, quarterfinals
[2] Zhang Shuai (CHN)/John Peers (AUS) v [8] Ena Shibahara (JPN)/Ben McLachlan (JPN)
[WC] Jaimee Fourlis (AUS)/Jason Kubler (AUS) v Sania Mirza (IND)/Rajeev Ram (USA)

> VIEW: Australian Open 2022 mixed doubles draw

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