Local duo Olivia Gadecki and John Peers surged back to defeat French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard in the Australian Open mixed doubles final, taking Saturday’s early afternoon clash via a match tiebreak 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 in 93 minutes.
The Australians – who defended their title – became the first team to retain the mixed doubles trophy at Melbourne Park since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh backed up in 1989.
They struggled to settle in a first set against the French pairing led by Mladenovic, the former women’s doubles world No 1 and a top 10 singles player.
But a single break in the second set was enough to square the contest, and in the match tiebreak they overcame a 5-7 deficit to take the title on their second match point.
More to follow.