Tennis: Kiwi Michael Venus, Ryan Harrison extend Wimbledon doubles run

Kiwi Michael Venus and American Ryan Harrison celebrate victory at the French Open. Photo/Getty Images

NZ tennis ace Michael Venus has found a little self-belief can go a long way ... all the way to the Wimbledon doubles quarterfinals, in his case.

Venus and American partner Ryan Harrison, seeded 10th, have overcome six-seeded Croatian Ivan Dodig and Spaniard Marcel Granollers 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 in a three-hour third-round thriller to continue their run at the All England Tennis and Croquet Club.

While the nation was focused on America's Cup and the British & Irish Lions tour last month, Venus and Harrison snuck under the radar for victory at the French Open, the first Kiwi Grand Slam winner since Judy Connor's Australian Open doubles title in 1979.

That result has catapulted the pair into the top echelon of doubles exponents - they are now the sixth-ranked combination in the world, with Venus 15th individually.

If they can maintain that standing, Venus and Harrison are in line for the Nitto ATP Finals in London, November 12-19, an even that brings together the top eight teams over the year.

While the Roland Garros breakthrough has significantly raised expectations, it also seems to have increased the pair's confidence levels to be able to fight back from any situation.

They struggled early against Dodig/Granollers, and then allowed their opponents to take momentum into the fifth and deciding set.

Somehow, Venus and Harrison found a way back.

"Right now, it seems, no matter what the score or what else is happening, we keep making adjustments that we need to do and trying to find a way that will work," says Venus.

"Every pair you play, it's going to be different, and you have to figure out what's working on that day for you and what works against them.

"It's a little bit of trial and error at times, and some days, it takes longer to figure out."

Part of that, too, is building a level of comfort within the partnership. The duo first hooked up at Budapest in April, won at Estoril the following week and then captured the French crown in their fourth outing together.

Initially, Harrison planned to bypass the grasscourt doubles circuit altogether to focus on singles, but reconsidered after the clay success.

"We knew every match in the tournament was going to be tough. We're just taking it one match at a time, trying to find a way in each match and letting the points take care of themselves.

"If we keep focusing on the things we're doing right and the things we can control, then hopefully, we'll accumulate enough points that, at the end of the year, we'll be in the finals."

Both Venus and Harrison are strong servers, and while they were off the pace in the opening set against Dodig/Granollers, they dropped just one service game across the final four sets.

"We were serving really well, hitting our spots and I think we had a pretty high-percentage first serve in that [fifth] set," said Venus. "It brought the net guy into play a lot more and we were able to help each other out.

"Having some quick service games put some pressure on the other guys, when they were serving, and we were able to capitalise on that.

"It's a strength for both Ryan and I, so it's something we rely on and take pride in."

Next up, they take on top seeded Henri Kontinen of Finland and Aussie John Peers, the top two doubles exponents in the world and winners of the Australian Open in January.

"I'm actually pretty good friends with both of them," said Venus. "The week before Wimbledon, I was practicing every day with Peers, so I know him pretty well.

"They started out the year well and have been deep in a lot of big tournaments, so we'll come out and play well, and try to take the opportunities that we get."

Venus is also still alive in mixed doubles, combining with Czech Barbora Krejčíková to reach the third round, where they will face second-seeded Brazilian Bruno Soares and Russian Elena Vesnina.