Matt Ebden and John Friends are by way of to the lads’s tennis last on the Paris 2024 Olympics, changing into the primary Australian pairing since “The Woodies” at Sydney 2000 to succeed in a gold medal match.
Paris, France, 3 August 2024 | tennis.com.au
Matt Ebden and John Friends are set to make historical past after defeating No.3 seeds Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul of america within the males’s doubles semifinals on the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Aussie pair are on monitor to interrupt a 28-year gold medal drought for Australia in Olympic tennis.
The final time Australia topped the rostrum at an Olympic Video games was at Atlanta 1996, with the legendary doubles pairing of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, often called the “The Woodies”.
In a commanding efficiency on Courtroom Suzanne-Lenglen, Ebden and Friends defeated the American crew in straight units, securing their place within the last, the place they are going to play off for the gold medal.
Ebden and Friends showcased their superior teamwork and tactical prowess, successful 7-5 6-2.
“We simply stored urgent, creating the strain. Then executed sufficient and perhaps they felt that strain. That was key, to remain on prime of them,” Ebden mentioned.
The primary set was tightly contested, with each pairs holding their serves persistently. The rating progressed evenly with each groups exchanging video games as much as 5-5. At 6-5, Ebden and Friends capitalised on their break alternatives, securing the set.
The second set noticed Ebden and Friends elevate their sport, shortly advancing to a 4-0 lead and sustaining their momentum all through. Fritz and Paul struggled to maintain up, managing solely two extra video games.
With a assured medal, the Australian pair present no indicators of slowing down.
“It’s nice to have a assure of a medal, however we all know there’s yet one more to go,” Ebden mentioned.
“Clearly we need to win. That’s why we’re right here. So that you’ve acquired to benefit from the second, then concentrate on restoration and put together to go once more tomorrow.”
For Ebden and Friends, the victorious second was made much more particular by a celebration shared with their kids; John’s two daughters, Ellie and Harper, and Matt’s son Harvey.
“I imply my women particularly wished me to return residence with a medal and now they’re assured one which is absolutely one thing particular,” Friends mentioned.
“To have the ability to have family and friends right here is simply one thing we dream of.”
Added Ebden: “They (his daughters) had been going to be staying up and speaking about it in class and now they get to be right here and dwell it. I hope they’ll keep in mind this the remainder of their life.”
In Saturday’s gold medal match at Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier, Ebden and Friends will face one other American duo in No.4 seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
Krajicek and Ram defeated Brazilians Thiago Monteiro and Thiago Seyboth Wild within the first spherical, earlier than overcoming Spanish pair Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, then Czech’s Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek within the semifinals.
Paris 2024 Olympic Video games – Tennis Day 7 outcomes
Males’s doubles
SF: Matt Ebden / John Friends (AUS) d [3] Taylor Fritz / Tommy Paul (USA) 7-5 6-2
Paris 2024 Olympic Video games – Tennis Day 8
Males’s doubles
Gold medal match: Matt Ebden / John Friends (AUS) v [4] Austin Krajicek / Rajeev Ram (USA) – 12.00pm Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier
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