MELBOURNE, Jan 30 — Australia’s Olivia Gadecki and John Peers became the first pair in 37 years to successfully defend the Australian Open mixed doubles title today, defeating French duo Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 4-6 6-3 10-8 in a thrilling final.

The wildcard pairing became the first team since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1989 to retain the crown and the first Australian pair to do so since Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher 62 years ago.