Australian qualifier Jason Kubler has held his nerve to serve his way into the Wimbledon third round with a straight-sets victory over Dennis Novak.
After being asked to sleep on a two-sets-to-love and 5-4 lead, Kubler returned to the All England Club on Friday (UK time) to coolly close out the contest and reach the last 32 of a grand slam for the first time.
Jason Kubler plays a forehand against Dennis Novak of Austria.Credit:Getty
Kubler needed only two minutes plus the warm-up to complete the 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory and book a date on Saturday with American Jack Sock, who is also making an inspired run from qualifying.
The 29-year-old had just broken Novak and was about the serve for the match on Thursday when the heavens opened, prompting a wry smile from the self-confessed “Australian tennis battler” as he gathered his gear and scurried for cover.
Win or lose his next match, it’s been a breakout campaign for Kubler, who has earned more money in the past week than he has all season.
Jason Kubler celebrates after winning match point against Dennis Novak of Austria.Credit:Getty
A place in the last 32 at the All England Club is worth a minimum of Stg 121,000 ($213,000).
Victory over the 103rd-ranked Sock would guarantee the world No. 99 at least Stg 190,000 ($337,000) – not bad for someone got down to his last 14 cents at one low point during his injury-ravaged career.
It would be nothing less than Kubler deserves following an inspired comeback from the one-time world No. 1 junior, whose career has been cruelly stop-start due to five rounds of knee surgery.
