25 January 2017 | Alex Sharp

Melbourne’s very own Marc Polmans and Andrew Whittington continue to spring the surprise at the Australian Open.

The local duo have already sent 8th seeds Nestor/Roger-Vasselin, and then 11th seeds Rojer/Tecau crashing out. However they’ve gone one step further with a staggering 7-6(2) 2-6 6-4 triumph over No.1 pairing Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.

“A bit lost for words, it’s a great feeling and thanks for playing with me Marc!” Said Whittington after the victory.

“Yeh I’m extremely overwhelmed to be honest, at the start of the week I really didn’t think we’d be in the semi-final of a Grand Slam,” added 19-year-old Polmans. “To do it in front of my friends and family on this Margaret Court Arena is unbelievable.”

Aussie wildcards were a break up in the opener but the Frenchmen hauled them to a tie-break. The crowd favourites served big to storm to the breaker, but the Wimbledon champions proved their credentials by rattling through the second set.

Mahut was forced to stave off a break point at 2-2 but level two games later and some blistering Australian returns secured another chance.

This time Polmans pulled the trigger on an inside out forehand which was too powerful for Mahut. Polmans was cool under pressure to hold serve to love to edge one game away.

Pin point accuracy from world No.1 Mahut fended off two match points but it was down to Whittington to serve out a giant victory.

“Yeh I was pretty nervous serving out the match,” added Whittington. “You’ve just got to back yourself and try and make as many first serves as possible. I was just praying that shot was going out!”

That shot, a Herbert return, sailed long and the Aussie’s moved into the semi-finals to face green and gold doubles specialist John Peers alongside Henri Kontinen.

The fourth seeds dispatched Aussies Sam Groth and Chris Guccione 7-5 6-3 with a break in each set on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday evening.

“That was a good one tonight, we’re glad Rafa (Nadal) finished in three sets otherwise it could have been a really, really late one,” said a relieved Peers.