Bolelli-Fognini clinch Australian Open doubles title

January 31, 2015 20:57 IST

Simone Bolelli of Italy and Fabio Fognini of Italy celebrate with the winners trophy aftwe winning their final doubles match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France and Nicolas Mahut of France during day 13 of the 2015 Australian Open. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini became the first all Italian pair to win a grand slam men's doubles title in almost 60 years when they beat Frenchmen Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Nicolas Mahut 6-4 6-4 at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola were the last all-Italian pair to win a grand slam men's doubles title at Roland Garros in 1959.

There was controversy in the first game of the second when the ball touched Mahut's racquet three times in winning the point to take a 40-30 lead and while the Italians argued with chair umpire Carlos Ramos, he did not reverse his decision.

The Italians broke Mahut in the ninth game of the second set and Bolelli served out, sparking an exuberant celebration on Rod Laver Arena.

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