Brazilians Rafael Matos and Luisa Stefani sunk their enamel into the Australian Open combined doubles trophy on Friday, nonetheless but to style defeat as a duo. With a 7-6(2), 6-2 ultimate victory towards the Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza, Matos/Stefani improved to 7-0 as a crew and claimed what’s a primary Grand Slam title for each in any self-discipline.
The champions started their partnership in 2023, going 2-0 on the United Cup earlier than extending their good begin in Melbourne.
“Luisa, thanks a lot for these two weeks, truly this month,” Matos stated throughout the trophy ceremony. “It was particular taking part in with one other Brazilian participant… I feel we labored actually good these two weeks, we had been focussed on what we wished, and we did it!”
Matos turned the fifth Brazilian man to win a serious title, whereas Stefani is now the second lady from the nation to safe Grand Slam glory. Stefani, who has received 18 of 20 girls’s doubles matches since coming back from knee surgical procedure in September, was not capable of compete within the Melbourne girls’s doubles draw after associate Caty McNally withdrew.
The 25-year-old recalled when Matos first requested her about teaming up for combined doubles: “It was about Wimbledon time final yr. I used to be doing rehab, nearer to coming again however I used to be nonetheless working onerous,” she stated. “When he requested me after I was coming again so possibly we may play some combined, that was an enormous motivation to me to maintain working onerous, maintain getting nearer to coming again. And now right here we’re, successful our first Grand Slam collectively in Australia, on this lovely courtroom, superb day, in entrance of this superb crowd with a number of Brazilians right here.
“It is actually particular and unbelievable to share this dream with you and our crew.”
Each Matos and Stefani paid triubute to Mirza of their trophy speeches, honouring the 36-year-old who was taking part in her ultimate Grand Slam occasion. Mirza received six main titles in her profession, three in girls’s doubles and three in combined. Her ultimate match will probably be in Dubai in February.
Bopanna, 42, was in search of to turn into the oldest Grand Slam winner since Martine Navratilova received the 2006 US Open combined doubles crown at 49.
.jpg)
