No. 5 seeds Kristina Mladenovic and Ivan Dodig have captured the Australian Open mixed doubles title. Mladenovic and Dodig delived a strong performance in the the final to beat Australia’s Jaimee Fourlis and Jason Kubler 6-3 6-4.
Fourlis and Kubler made a positive start to the match, having claimed the first break of the match in the third game. Mladenovic and Dodig quickly responded after falling down by a break as they broke Fourlis and Kubler fourth and eighth game to overturn the deficit and win the first set.
Mladenovic and Dodig blew an early second set break, but broke Fourlis and Kubler again in the seventh game before serving out for the match two games later.
Mladenovic and Dodig reflect on the winning title
« You guys have no idea how many times we texted each other, (saying) let’s play mixed, » Mladenovic told the crowd during the trophy presentation.
« And finally it happened, so thank you (Ivan) for playing with me. I had an amazing time, and what a way to finish our first time on court together. » Added Dodig, addressing the crowd: « Thank you guys, for coming.
We all know that it’s a difficult time. You guys had it here very difficult. We all are struggling. But it’s amazing… last year I played a final here and there was no crowd. This year it’s much better. You guys are great.
« I’m also playing well; last year I won doubles, now mixed.
So it’s great to come back here. » Fourlis and Kubler enjoyed a fun fortnight despite falling just short of winning the title. « It’s been an absolute laugh this week. It’s been so much fun. Didn’t really know what to expect, to be honest, but hey, we made it this far, » Fourlis said to Kubler, after they became the fourth all-Australian mixed pairing to reach the AO final in the past decade.
« We started on Court 15 in the sticks, and we’ve slowly made our way up to Rod Laver Arena, even playing a match at 1:00am.
« So we’ve been through everything, and it’s been so much fun. »
