LONDON : China’s Guo Hanyu and France’s Kristina Mladenovic claimed their first Grand Slam title as a partnership with a 6-3 7-5 victory over second seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani in the Wimbledon women’s doubles final on Sunday.
The triumph marked Mladenovic’s maiden Wimbledon women’s doubles crown and her seventh Grand Slam doubles title overall, while Guo lifted her first major trophy in her maiden Grand Slam final.
“It feels like a dream… I definitely cannot believe what just happened now,” 34-year-old Mladenovic said after the victory.
The 10th seeds made a blistering start, reading Dabrowski’s lobs well to race into a 5-0 lead in the opening set. The Canadian-Brazilian duo recovered to win three consecutive games, but Guo and Mladenovic held firm to take the set.
Dabrowski and Stefani responded strongly in the second set and pressed for the decisive break, but Guo and Mladenovic saved two break points at 5-5, with the Frenchwoman’s powerful forehands helping keep the match level.
Guo then produced a series of sharp backhand returns at the net to earn a break point in the 11th game before converting it with a tightly angled cross-court winner.
Serving for the championship, Mladenovic sealed victory with a forehand that forced her opponents into an error.
“I just feel so lucky to have you on my side and with this trophy now. Thank you for choosing me… trusting me,” an emotional Guo said during the trophy presentation.
Mladenovic paid tribute to her partner, recalling the difficult period she endured after a serious injury last year left her on crutches.
“I had no ranking, I had a tough injury last year, and Guo did not hesitate at all,” Mladenovic said. “I am very proud to be standing here with her.”
The pair only joined forces earlier this year and completed a remarkable run by defeating one of the tournament favourites to capture their first major title together.
