AUSSIES AT WIMBLEDON SHINE

Storm Hunter’s Wimbledon campaign began at Roehampton, where she successfully navigated through three qualifying rounds.

The 28-year-old Australian did not drop a set to earn her place in the singles main draw for the rst time.

Hunter’s inspired qualifying run included a second-round upset of top seed, world No.68 Elina Avanesyan. It was her career- rst top-100 singles win on grass.

“I don’t think I can really put it into words,” Hunter said after qualifying. “It’s just really, really special.”

Hunter then enjoyed a careerbest run in the women's doubles competition, reaching the nal alongside Belgium’s Elise Mertens.

The third seeds conceded a total of nine games, and did not lose serve, in a dominant march into the title match.

Hunter became the 13th Australian to advance to a Wimbledon women's doubles nal in the Open era and the rst to achieve this feat in 10 years.

It took resurgent veterans Barbora Strycova and Hsieh Suwei to end Hunter and Mertens’ title quest in a high-quality nal.

Despite the loss, Hunter was grateful for the opportunity to compete on the tournament’s nal day and on the biggest stage.

“For me, it’s a dream come true to play here on Centre Court in the doubles nal,” she said.

Matt Ebden became the rst Australian in 19 years to progress to back-to-back Wimbledon men’s doubles semi nals.

The 35-year-old from Perth and Indian partner Rohan Bopanna proved clutch under pressure, saving a match point in their opening round and then a further three match points in a thirdround victory.

Top seeds and eventual champions Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski nally ended their winning run.

That semi nal loss snapped a 10-match winning streak for Ebden at the tournament, following his title-winning run last year alongside compatriot Max Purcell.

Koolhof and Skupski also spoiled Purcell’s title defence, eliminating him and Australian partner Jordan Thompson in the third round.

With John Peers and Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo also reaching the third round, it marked the rst time in 12 years that three teams featuring Australians had progressed to that stage in a Wimbledon men’s doubles draw.

Ebden proudly led the Australian charge in the Wimbledon mixed doubles competition too, reaching the quarter nals alongside compatriot Ellen Perez.

The fifth-seeded pair saved two match points in their second-round victory.

This meant Ebden saved a total of six match points across three separate wins during the tournament.

Ebden’s e orts see him rise to a career-high world No.10 in the ATP Tour doubles rankings.

The quiet-achieving Chris O’Connell was the best performing Australian in the men’s singles competition.

The 29-year-old, who had never previously won a main-draw match at the All England Club, advanced to the third round.

“Of course, I’m pretty proud. Third round is awesome,” O’Connell said.

A year ago, O’Connell made a considered decision to forego Wimbledon qualifying and compete at ATP Challenger events in Portugal and Spain instead. His goal was to earn enough ranking points to break into the world’s top 100.

A er his e orts at Wimbledon this year, O’Connell now sits at a career-high world No.67.

“This time last year, getting to the top 100 was a huge goal of mine,” he said. “So, to be sitting here a year later, looking at top 50, that’s awesome.”

His rise is even more remarkable considering he was unranked in early 2019 and struggling to earn money while injured.

“All the odd jobs I’ve worked at,” O’Connell re ected. “Boat cleaning, working in a clothes shop, tennis coaching, delivering yers … I think back on those, and I’m like, ‘Wow, now I’m here!’”

Heath Davidson advanced to his rst Grand Slam singles nal in the quad wheelchair competition.

Although the 36-year-old Australian proved no match for world No.1 Niels Vink in the nal, Davidson was thrilled with a career-best performance in his 13th Grand Slam appearance.

“Honestly, I thought I played pretty well,” a gracious Davidson said following his loss to 20-yearold Vink, who tallied 28 winners in a 6-1 6-2 victory.

“I could have thrown the kitchen sink at this kid today and he would have hit it past me for a winner.”

Davidson’s highlight came in the semifinals, where he snapped an 11-match losing streak against defending champion Sam Schroder. It was his first win against the world No.2 since July 2019.

Davidson was also a nalist in the quad wheelchair doubles competition alongside Canadian Robert Shaw. It was their second runners-up nish at a Grand Slam tournament this season.

“They’re No.1 and No.2 in the world for a reason,” Davidson conceded following a straightsets loss to Vink and Schroder in the final.

“Me and Robbie are just going to keep doing what we do and hopefully we sneak one in eventually.”

For the rst time in 15 years, multiple Australians advanced to the third round in the Wimbledon girls’ singles competition.

Taylah Preston, a 17-year-old from Perth, and Emerson Jones, a 15-year-old from the Gold Coast, proved they are ones to watch with career-best Grand Slam showings.

Preston has been focusing on building her professional ranking this season and peaked at world No.414 in June, however decided to return to junior level to compete at Wimbledon.

“Wimbledon is Wimbledon,” Preston explained. “It is an amazing tournament and the highest tournament you can play in tennis.”

Jones, who was competing at Wimbledon for the rst time, is the highest-ranked 2008-born player in the junior rankings at world No.18.