'Unbelievable': Aussie wildcards make AO doubles final

Like winning lotto, Jason Kubler has secured a life-changing family pay day after powering into the Australian Open men's doubles final with Marc Polmans.

Kubler and Polmans thrilled the home crowd on Rod Laver Arena with a rousing 6-2 3-6 6-3 semi-final win over the Polish-British pair of Jan Zielinski and Luke Johnson on Thursday.

Incredibly, after taking out fan favourites and 2022 champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round, Kubler is a win away from claiming a second AO doubles crown in three years as a wildcard.

In 2023, Kubler - a former world No.1 junior - teamed with fellow Australian Rinky Hijikata to claim the title at Melbourne Park as wildcards.

"It's unbelievable," Kubler said.

"This is the first time we've played together, which is crazy to think about.

"We're gelling so well together. So hopefully this isn't the last time we play together. I think we're doing alright.

"But with the wildcards, my ranking in doubles is close to 1500, so I'm definitely not getting in (on rankings), even with Alcaraz.

"So luckily Tennis Australia gave us the opportunity."

While 32-year-old Kubler - who also made the Open mixed decider with Jaimee Fourlis in 2022 - has been there, done that, Polmans is through to his maiden grand slam final.

"This is the best feeling in the world," the 28-year-old said.

"I'm just soaking it up playing with Jason. My friends and family are here, so it's extra special for me."

Kubler's magical run follows his West Australian fiancee Maddison Inglis' unexpected charge from qualifying to the last 16 of the women's singles.

Inglis' reward for being Australia's last woman standing and also contesting the women's and mixed doubles events will be a monster cheque for $505,925.

Kubler is guaranteed to take home at least $396,425 for also qualifying, playing the mixed with Inglis and now the men's double title match.

That means Australian tennis's new golden couple will walk away from Melbourne with a minimum $902,350 - or $1.27 million if Kubler and Polmans win Sunday's final.

With so much at stake, Inglis was barely able to watch from the stands.

At one point, she buried her head into another supporter's lap.

"I didn't see her that much doing all that, but then I saw the post of all the different facial reactions, so that's pretty funny," Kubler said.

"But I knew Maddy is like that. We could be watching, say, tonight we're watching the women semi-finals, and she'll be like that in the lounge room.

"She loves watching tennis and always rides the matches regardless. I assume because I'm playing, she's probably a little bit more emotional."

The home hopes will play sixth seeds Neal Skupski of Great Britain and American Christian Harrison for the trophy.