Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara, controversial challenge, comments, reaction, video

Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara rallied from losing a contentious first set to win the Australian Open men's doubles title 6-7 (16), 7-6 (5), 6-3 over the Italian pairing of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.

Late in the first set, the Italian duo thought they had set point. However, Heliovaara reviewed the shot, believing Vavassori hit the ball before it went over the net.

John Millman explained the whole of the ball needs to be over before it can be hit.

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The umpire confirmed contact was made on the other side of the net and the shot was not legal.

Vavassori was not convinced, saying the ball was on his side.

Andrea Vavassori's shot was ruled out by a review. Nine

"What an eagle-eyed decision from Heliovaara to ask for that review," Brenton Speed said on Nine. Heliovaara and Patten were then able to break to get the first set back on-serve.

Millman described it as a "simply extraordinary turn of events".

"I didn't see conclusive evidence ... but at that stage of the match that could have huge implications," he said.

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Harri Heliovaara falls to his knees after an epic men's doubles final that finished close to 2am. AP

The Italians were able to hold on to the first set in an epic 24-minute, 34-point tiebreaker, before Patten and Heliovaara rallied to win the next two sets to add a title at Melbourne Park to their Wimbledon championship.

Bolelli won the 2015 Australian Open doubles title with Fabio Fognini and was aiming to be part of only the third Italian men's doubles combination to win a major championship.

Bolelli and Vavassori lost last year's final at Melbourne Park to India's Rohan Bopanna and Australia's Matthew Ebden, and also lost the French Open final.

The doubles combination was trying to set up a big weekend for Italian tennis, with top-ranked Jannik Sinner of Italy aiming to defend his singles title against No.2 Alexander Zverev on Sunday.

Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten celebrate their men's doubles triumph. AP

“Tough final — one of the best I've played,” Bolelli said as the presentation ceremony stretched toward 2am

“We tried this year, another final. We played a really good tournament. We didn’t get the trophy, but we’re going to come back next year and try again.”

Patten acknowledged Heliovaara, the 2007 Australian Open boys doubles champion, for helping to complete another grand slam win, and the crowd for helping to keep them both motivated.

“Bloody hell, what an evening! Thanks to everyone who stayed,” he told the crowd at Rod Laver Arena in the early hours of Sunday.

“You guys are a little bit crazy, but I love you for it.”

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