Britain’s Dominic Inglot suffered a heartbreaking defeat with partner Marcus Daniell in the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles at the Australian Open.

The pair were facing seventh seeds Oliver Marach of Austria and Croatia’s Mate Pavic, who have won two titles already this season, but came within a whisker of causing the upset.

After losing the opening set, Inglot and Daniell, a New Zealander, saved three match points to take the second and the decider was nip and tuck all the way through to the final tie-break.

One mini-break ultimately decided it, and as a Daniell return sailed wide, Marach and Pavic celebrated a 6-4 6-7 (10/12) 7-6 (7/5) victory.

It has nevertheless been an excellent fortnight for Inglot, who now heads to Britain’s Davis Cup tie with Spain in Marbella, after reaching the last eight at a slam for the first time since 2015.