Jamie Murray and new partner Bruno Soares have won the doubles title at the Australian Open after a three-set battle with Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek.
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For Murray, whose brother Andy will compete against Novak Djokovic for the singles title tomorrow, the victory marks his maiden Slam title after previously being a losing finalist twice.
The pair were on the backfoot immediately when play finally got underway at 10.42pm local time in Melbourne, as veteran duo Nestor and Stepanek quickly broke twice to take the first set 6-2.
Murray and his Brazilian partner kept their composure and made the crucial break in the fifth game of the second set, with the remainder going the way of serve to force the match to a decider.
It was advantage to Murray and Soares once more in the fifth game, as a long forehand shot from Stepanek allowed them to claim a break. The victory could have been wrapped up at 5-4 but their championship point was squandered as Nestor and Stepanek made an unlikely to break to ensure a tense finish.
Undeterred, Murray and Soares hit straight back, capitalising on the second of two break points to serve for the match at 6-5. Quickly racing into a 40-0 lead, Soares made the most of the third set point to claim the trophy as the clock struck for 1am.
Murray had previously reached the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open with former partner John Peers.
Neil Wilkes
