Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson tipped to follow doubles tradition

Reigning Australian Open men’s doubles champions Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler have played down their own title chances but backed another pair to complete an Aussie three-peat.

Hijikata and Kubler comfortably accounted for their first-round opponents in straight sets on Friday but said it was the pairing of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson which had the biggest chance of carrying on a trend of local winners at Melbourne Park beginning with Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2022.

Purcell was on the wrong end of that final, playing alongside Australian veteran Matt Ebden as the pair were overpowered by the “Special Ks”.

Thompson and Purcell were pushed to a match tie-break by an Austrian pair on Thursday and will be tested further when they meet seventh seeds Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski on Saturday.

“I think they could be the third straight Aussie pair to win the tournament, if I’m being honest,” Hijikata said of the duo.

“I got to play with Max in Tokyo, and I’ve seen Thommo play a ton – they’re both unbelievable doubles players.

“Now that they’re both out of the singles, they can probably focus on their doubles a bit more … I would say they’re a very good shot to go deep these next couple of weeks.”

Kubler said he thought the Kyrgios and Kokkinakis had ignited a successful new era in Australian doubles, which has also featured Storm Hunter’s run to world No. 1 in the women’s doubles including reaching the Wimbledon final.

“I think with Nick and Thanasi winning two years ago, I think that really (changed it) … I find that the fans really enjoyed and really get into it because I found last year, the crowds were going crazy for us,” he said.

Hijikata and Kubler have had limited success as a duo since their Australian Open triumph, but Hijikata said the doubles drills had started slightly earlier before the tournament this year after the pair both suffered crushing five-set first-round losses.

“I just try to erase that from my memory … that match never happened,” Hijikata said.

“I didn’t play singles this week. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

“What match? What match?” Kubler said.