Tennis-Mladenovic and Guo triumph in Wimbledon women's doubles

Tennis-Mladenovic and Guo triumph in Wimbledon women's doubles

The Star Online - Sport·2026-07-13 08:01

LONDON, July 12 (Reuters) - Chinese and ⁠French pair Guo Hanyu and Kristina Mladenovic outwitted second seeds Gabriela ⁠Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani 6-3 7-5 to win the Wimbledon women's ‌doubles title on Sunday for their first major triumph together.

Mladenovic, who won six Grand Slam doubles titles between 2018 and 2022, suffered a long-term injury that left her on crutches last ​year. She paired up with Guo earlier this ⁠year.

"It feels like a dream... ⁠I definitely cannot believe what just happened now," Mladenovic, 34, said after her ⁠maiden ‌Wimbledon win.

Tenth seeds Guo and Mladenovic were quick to read Dabrowski's early lobs and raced to a 5-0 lead. The Canadian-Brazilian pairing ⁠of Dabrowski and Stefani fought back to win the next ​three games, but ‌it was not enough to save the set.

The second seeds looked much ⁠more in ​their element as they pushed for a break in the second set, but their opponents saved two break points as Mladenovic's strong forehands across the court helped them ⁠stay even at 5-5.

Guo's backhand returns from the ​net set up a break point in the 11th game, which the Chinese 28-year-old, playing in her first major final, won with a cross-court backhand at a ⁠tight angle.

Serving for the championship, a clinical Mladenovic secured victory with a forehand that her opponents could only lash back into the net.

"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 told Mladenovic.

Mladenovic said she was thankful to have Guo as her partner.

"I ​had no ranking, I had a tough injury ‌last year, and (Guo) did not hesitate at ​all. I am very proud to be standing here with her," she added.

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

……

Read full article on The Star Online - Sport

Entertainment Malaysia