Jason Kubler: Australia’s third tennis Special K breaks through at French Open

With the light fading in Paris on Sunday night, a one-time prodigy of Australian tennis enjoyed arguably the finest moment of a career that has been sadly restricted by injury. Well over a decade after matching the junior deeds of 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, Jason Kubler finally broke through for his first ever win at Roland Garros.

After making it through qualifying in his fourth visit to Paris as a senior, Kubler was able to hold his nerve at critical times when defeating American Denis Kudla 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3). He closed out the triumph with the shot that once seemed destined to carry him a long way in tennis when crunching a brilliant backhand down the line for a winner.

It is a good thing he did, for the post-Ash Barty era in grand slams would have started on a very bleak note otherwise given the other four Australians in action on day one exited early. Afterwards, the fans who stuck around after dark on Court 13 clamoured for selfies with the 29-year-old, adults and kids among them. Kubler was happy to oblige every one of them.

“It is still weird thinking someone wants your autograph. It is just me. It is not like I am anyone super famous,” he said. “I don’t know if I saved the day [for Australia] but I am personally happy that I won through. It is only the second time that I have won a main draw match, so in itself it is pretty exciting.”

When it comes to the Special Ks of Australian tennis, Kubler has been very much the third billing behind Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis throughout a testing senior career. He is older than the Australian Open doubles champions, who have also endured more than their fair share of injury and motivation issues, but he too was once considered a likely star.