Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka have captured their second Grand Slam trophy together, denying Czechs Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova to secure the Australian Open women’s doubles final on Friday.
Second seeds Mertens and Sabalenka bolstered their hard-court credentials as they prevailed 6-2 6-3 for their fifth title as a team.
Between them, both pairs had triumphed at the other three majors, but the women’s doubles silverware at Melbourne Park had proved elusive.
MORE: Sabalenka/Mertens d Krejcikova/Siniakova match stats
The Belgian-Belarusian duo was stronger throughout the 79-minute affair – sharper on returns, smarter with placement and more measured in aggression – on Rod Laver Arena.
“I know she can do it with her serve, it's like I'll just stand at the net,” Mertens said. “We had a really good couple of weeks. We had a tough draw actually in doubles, so we really happy that we pulled through. Some days, like today, we just kept on fighting.”