Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell have qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals' last-four phase after securing their second victory of the campaign.
The fifth seeds were too strong for No.2 pair Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, winning 7-6(14) 6-3 after surviving an epic first set where they fended off four set points in the tiebreak.
It marks the first time an all-Aussie pair have reached the knockout rounds of the event since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 1999.
"I think they’ve achieved a little bit more than us, probably a bit better than us, but we’re only just getting started," Thompson said.
"We couldn’t be happier. We played a great match, it was clean. Our first set probably should have gone our way, I missed a duck forehand there to go up 5-2 [in the tiebreak] but that tiebreak was something like I’ve never played before. To come out on top and steal the momentum, it’s a pretty good feeling."
Not only are they vying to take home the trophy, but they also have an eye on exacting revenge for their past two Davis Cup final defeats when Australia band together next week in Malaga.
"Teams just don’t know what partnerships we’re going to throw at them, so they can’t really plan for anything. I feel like that gives us an edge," Purcell said.
"It’s good that we all jell together so well. Thommo and I have had such a big year, obviously Matt (Ebden) had a big year a couple of years ago, so I think we’re really confident going into that as well."
The duo await the winners of the Bob Bryan Group who they will face in the semi-finals.
It wasn't the best news for Alex de Minaur in the singles, eliminated from the tournament after suffering three defeats in his first ATP Finals appearance.
The world No.9 lost to America's Taylor Fritz 5-7 6-4 6-3, but de Minaur is focused on building on his stellar 2024 season.
"Ultimately there’s been lots of positives throughout the year, it’s been a great season for me, a breakthrough season in which I’ve dealt with a lot of adversity at the same time," he said.
"Obviously, I would have loved to come here in better condition and feel like I could have put up some better results, but ultimately I did my best and it gives me a lot of fire to be back here next year."
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