Reunited and it feels incredible! The dynamic duo of Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai has clinched the doubles title at the Australian Open, marking a remarkable return to form. It's been four long years since these talented athletes last teamed up at a Grand Slam event, where they finished as runners-up at Wimbledon. However, their reunion has led to immediate success in Melbourne, proving that great partnerships can stand the test of time.
This past Saturday, the pair, hailing from Belgium and China respectively, triumphed over Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic with a score of 7-6(4), 6-4. This victory represents their ninth Grand Slam doubles title collectively, achieved in only their seventh tournament together as partners.
Zhang expressed her joy, saying, "This is our second time playing together at a Grand Slam. The first time we reached the final, and this time, we secured the trophy. It’s very special for us. We’ve demonstrated to everyone just how strong we are by competing against many outstanding teams, including top singles and doubles players."
Elise Mertens has now amassed six Grand Slam titles in doubles, three of which she has won at the Australian Open. In contrast, Zhang has claimed three titles, with her previous victories coming alongside the retired Australian star Samantha Stosur—at the 2019 Australian Open and the 2021 US Open. Remarkably, Mertens has won a Grand Slam doubles title every year for the past three years, and with this win, she is set to reclaim the No. 1 ranking in the PIF WTA Rankings starting Monday.
Reflecting on her recent achievements, Mertens said, "These past few months have been fantastic, especially during the Grand Slams and the WTA Finals. I knew that if we won our semifinal match, I would become No. 1 again, which definitely motivated me to perform well. While I was primarily focused on winning the trophy, reaching the top spot is a significant accomplishment. It’s one thing to excel in singles and doubles, but being ranked No. 1 in any category is truly amazing."
As the fourth seeds, Mertens and Zhang faced off against the seventh seeds, who were vying for their second major title after finishing as runners-up at Roland Garros last spring. They found themselves down 4-1 in the first set but made a stunning comeback, winning four consecutive games to take the lead. Although they missed two opportunities to close out the set in the 12th game, they managed to secure the set after taking a commanding lead in the tiebreaker—winning on their seventh set point.
In the second set, they surged ahead with a 5-0 lead, although they had to fend off a late challenge from their opponents before finally clinching the victory after fending off two championship points at 5-2.
Besides their memorable run at Wimbledon, where they fell short against Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova, Mertens and Zhang also reached the finals in Birmingham that same year. On their journey to their first team title, they showcased resilience, saving three match points against the young duo of Iva Jovic and Victoria Mboko, ultimately winning that nail-biting encounter 7-5, 4-6, 7-6[10].
In other news, the WTA recently paid tribute to trailblazing doubles player Latisha Chan, and Gadecki and Peers made headlines as the first duo to repeat as Australian Open champions in 37 years. For those interested in the Australian Open finals, a wealth of information is available online.
Currently holding the World No. 6 rank, Mertens is assured of reclaiming the top position regardless of the outcome of the final match, marking her upcoming 40th week at the pinnacle of women's tennis.
Looking ahead, Mertens and Zhang plan to continue their partnership, with their next tournaments lined up at the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai. "That’s the plan for now," Mertens confirmed. "We performed well together this week, and we feel confident in our ability to play alongside each other. We trust one another completely."
Isn't it fascinating how sports can bring people back together and create magic on the court? What do you think about Mertens and Zhang's resurgence as a team? Do you believe their success will continue in the upcoming tournaments? Feel free to share your thoughts!
