Rinky Hijikata and David Pel lose to Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in Wimbledon final
Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool had a partisan crowd cheering when they became the first all-British team to lift the Wimbledon men's doubles crown since 1936 with their 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) victory.
The makeshift duo of Hijikata and Pel saved match points in the first and second rounds, as well as in the semifinal on their way to the tournament decider.
Hijikata described it as a "dream come true" to play in the showpiece final, while Pel lightheartedly revealed to the Centre Court crowd the nature of his unlikely partnership with the Australian.
"We didn't even meet before the tournament," Pel said.
"I mean, it was our first time speaking on the day the tournament started."
Pel served five double faults and was broken three times, while Hijikata did his best to hold the partnership together on court.
Cash and Glasspool never looked back after they were gifted an early break thanks to a poor service game from Pel and subsequently eased through the opening set with minimum fuss.
The Britons comfortably won the second-set tiebreak to seal the title in one hour and 22 minutes.
Hijikata was the fifth Australian to reach the men's doubles final in the last 10 editions.
He only teamed up with Pel at the start of the tournament when they were originally included in the field as reserves, until another pair's withdrawal allowed them a late call-up.
Hijikata, who won the 2023 Australian Open title with Jason Kubler, called his All England Club adventure a "crazy ride".
"It's been so much fun playing with David," Hijikata said.
"He's brought such a great energy on the court. He's made it very easy for me out there.
"It's a dream come true to be playing on Centre Court. A bit shattered, but it was a lot of fun."
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