Jason Kubler ambushed by girlfriend Maddison Inglis at Australian Open

Maddison Inglis has stitched up boyfriend and fellow tennis player Jason Kubler in a live TV ambush at the Australian Open, calling him during a segment on Channel 9. Kubler and Rinky Hijikata advanced to the men's doubles final on Thursday, continuing their fairytale run at Melbourne Park.

In scenes reminiscent if the 'Special Ks' in 2022 when Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis won the doubles title, Kubler and Hijikata have captivated tennis fans with their improbable run to the final. Channel 9 had Kubler's girlfriend Inglis on set on Friday morning to discuss his heroics, and things accidentally got a bit X-rated when she was asked about the doubles pairing's nickname.

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Many have suggested Kubler and Hijikata should be dubbed the 'Kinkys'. When the name was put to Inglis she replied "I like kinky" before bursting out laughing at her accidental slip of the tongue.

When things got back on track she was asked by host Tony Jones and wheelchair champion Dylan Alcott if she could call Kubler live on air. Inglis obliged, and was surprised when Kubler actually picked up.

Alcott then said: "We tried to book you this morning but you are too busy. What are you too busy doing?" Kubler responded: "Sorry about that - I thought this is one day I'll get the morning off."

Kubler and Inglis have been in a relationship for the past three years, however the news only came to light when they teamed up for Australia at the recent United Cup. They played mixed doubles together at the Australian Open, losing in the quarter-finals to compatriots Mark Polmans and Olivia Gadecki.

As for Kubler and Hijikata, they've got a red-hot chance to become the second Australian pairing to win the doubles crown in Melbourne in two years. "If they keep doing what they're doing, they've got a pretty good shot," Inglis said.

"They're both playing unreal. I've been around them a bit - they're both having a lot of fun. If they keep doing that, they'll be pretty hard to beat."

Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata in Australian Open final

Kubler and Hijikata have previously confessed to being clueless about doubles, with both more known for their singles play. But according to Inglis the inexperience has actually been working in their favour.

"I watch the warm-ups … they're taking their shirts off, they're doing weird little shots," she said. "They're having so much fun,They are really getting along … it's coming together on court."

On Thursday they took down eighth seeds Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers 6-4 6-2 - the same pairing that Kyrgios and Kokkinakis beat in the semis 12 months ago. Hijikata and Kubler will meet fellow unseeded pair Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski in Saturday night's final after they defeated Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin 6-3 5-7 6-2 in the other semi-final.

"Who would have thought?" Kubler said. "We both returned unbelievable. If anyone watched the match (on Wednesday) they saw Rinky lacing them, I was happy to do my part out there. It's unbelievable.

"I'm just swinging. With each match we get more confident and feel more at home on these big courts."

with AAP

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