Matt Ebden and John Peers say they're ready to step into the shoes of Australian tennis heroes as they play the match of their lives for Olympic gold at the age of 36.
The veteran pair chest-bumped with joy after outplaying American singles stars Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul 7-5 6-2 at Roland Garros on Friday to secure at least a men's doubles silver.
"We enjoy this moment, we're guaranteed a medal - but the job's not done. We came here to go one more step," said Peers.
Their all-court nous as grand slam-winning doubles specialists was enough for them to dismantle two of the best singles players in the world - and now they'll face another formidable American pair, fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, for gold on Court Philippe Chatrier on Saturday.
They have a chance of being the first Australian Olympic tennis champions since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, took the crown in Atlanta in 1996 - and they reckon it's a privilege to have them and captain Lleyton Hewitt supporting them.
"We've had some great Australian heroes come through before us and to have Rusty (Hewitt) in our corner every day is unbelievable, and those guys to lean on, as well, we can't ask for anything better," said Peers.
The Melburnian is out to add gold to the bronze he won with Ash Barty in the mixed doubles in Tokyo three years ago, while Perth's outstanding Ebden will seek to crown a terrific year when he also had a spell as the world No.1 doubles player.
Both had their families cheering them on at Court Suzanne Lenglen, with the two dads hugging their excited kids on court afterwards.
"It's just something we dream of. I spoke to my wife and said, 'look, let's just do it, bring the two girls along, they're going to be staying up talking about it in school, and now they get to be here and live it'.
"I hope they can remember this the rest of their life."
Their run to the final is a remarkable achievement for effectively a third-string Australian partnership, with Ebden originally expected to play alongside his old Wimbledon-winning partner Max Purcell or Jordan Thompson.
They both turned down an Olympic place, though, leaving Ebden to pair up with old pal Peers, with whom he's reached two ATP finals, including one just before Wimbledon at Eastbourne.
The Aussies knew only superior doubles court-craft and tactics would be enough to beat the Americans, both ranked among the world's top 13 in singles.
They targeted Fritz mercilessly at the net when Paul was serving, correctly sensing the world No.12's discomfort there. In a hugely entertaining clash, the 72-years-young Aussie combo then gave the Americans a lesson in the doubles art.
Ebden, inspired all match, even fired one straight at Fritz that smashed the American in the chest, drawing an apology from the Aussie.
Fritz cracked in the key 11th game of the opening set with Paul serving, when he hit a volley long, giving the Australians the key first-set breakthrough at 6-5, before they won the next five games .
Silencing a largely pro-US crowd, the only nerves came when Ebden served for the match, squandering a couple of match points until Fritz hit a long forehand to give them victory in an hour and 35 minutes.
But in US Davis Cup doubles partners Krajicek and Ram, they expect an even tougher hurdle.
"They beat Nadal-Alcaraz - I was hoping someone else would have that problem - but that means they're obviously in good form, like we are," said Ebden.
"Two teams playing amazing tennis, going for gold, best of the best, we've got to beat them."
