Australian Open top five: Great Kiwi doubles moments

Artem Sitak remains in contention in Melbourne. Photo / Richard Robinson

Heard about the day a Kiwi bested Borg in Paris? Or Steffi Graf and Gabriela Sabatini being beaten by an New Zealand-American combination? What about Brett Steven taking on the Woodies?

With Artem Sitak and Michael Venus still alive in the men's doubles in Melbourne, and Marina Erakovic oh-so-close defeat yesterday afternoon in the women's doubles, we take a look back at five great doubles moments for New Zealanders in Grand Slams in the Open era.

5. Russell Simpson makes Melbourne semi finals
Playing on the Kooyong grass, Simpson and American Billy Martin were among the last four teams standing at the 1980 Australian Open. They faced local pairing Mark Edmondson (who remains the last Australian man to win their home grand slam) and Kim Warwick in the semi finals, losing the deciding set in a tie break.

4. Steven Downs and James Greenlagh take Junior Wimbledon
Their success didn't translate to the senior arena but for a time in 1993 New Zealand tennis was on a high, after the outstanding achievements by Downs and Greenlagh in the junior ranks. In the space of a month they won two grand slams, lifting the trophy at Roland Garros before prevailing in a three set final 6-7 (6), 7-6(7-4), 7-5 at Wimbledon.

3. Brett Steven reaches last four at Roland Garros.
With partner Tommy Ho, Steven enjoyed a fantastic run at the French Open in 1995. They tipped out highly rated American duo Luke and Murphy Jensen - the predecessors to the Bryan brothers with worse hair and better guitars - for a spot in the last four. In the semi final Steven and Ho were stopped by Dutch pairing Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis, then ranked third and fourth in the world respectively for doubles.

Steven made doubles headlines again in 1998. Steven and Patrick Galbraith faced Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in the Wimbledon quarter finals, losing 0-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 3-6. At that time the `Woodies' had won five consecutive Wimbledon titles and the Australian retired with 11 grand slam titles.

2. Steffi Graf and Gabriela Sabatini defeated at Wimbledon
Sure, it was in the doubles arena but getting the best of the outstanding German - rated by many as the best female player of all time - was still a mighty achievement. Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles (from 31 finals) and also reached four doubles finals.

In 1987 Aucklander Julie Richardson, who reached a career high ranking of 23 in doubles, teamed up with American Anna-Maria Fernandez at Wimbledon. They took on second seeds Graf and Gabriela Sabatini in the round of 16 and the German-Argentine combination, who won the title the following year, were upset 4-6 6-2 6-4 by Richardson and Fernandez.

Richardson and Fernandez's run ended in the quarter-finals, at the hands of Lori McNeil and Robin White.

1. Onny Parun wins French Open doubles
Parun teamed with Dick Crealy for an historic run at the 1974 French Open. Romanian legend Illie Nastase was beaten at the quarter final stage, while Bjorn Borg was on the other side of the net in the semi final. In the final Parun and Crealy faced the legendary pairing of Robert Lutz and Stan Smith, the American duo who reached ten grand slams doubles finals (winning five). They were denied on this day, as Parun and Crealy won an epic battle 6-3 6-2 3-6 5-7 6-1.