Mixed Doubles Final: The Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos clinched the Australian Open Mixed Doubles Championship on January 27 by eliminating Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna 7-6/ 6-2 in Sania Mirza’s Championship Final Match at a Grand Slam event prior to her retirement.
The Brazilian duo ended up leading 3-0 in the Tiebreaker until Mirza and Bopanna fought hard to draw the Match at 3-2, however, it ultimately remained their sole point. 2 of their lofted attempts, particularly Mirza’s effort at the net on set point, were missed. But after a tense beginning, the 2 seasoned players were able to calm themselves and rapidly build a 5-3 lead by winning 3 straight games. However, the Brazilians produced a Tiebreaker by taking advantage of Bopanna’s sluggish serve strokes.
The Brazilian Duo Overpowered the Indians
Mixed Doubles Final: After preserving a set point in the 12th game, Stefani and Matos clinched the Tiebreaker with an advantage on their favor. As Sania was unable to keep service in the 4th and 8th games to force a tie, the Indians allowed the Brazilians to overpower them in the 2nd set.
Stefani’s service was once more broken by a backhand up-the-line reply winner from Bopanna and another fierce response from Mirza. However, trying to serve for the set at 5-3, Bopanna’s key armament again struggled while Matos, a left-handed player, stayed strong at the line.
Mixed Doubles Final: The Indian Duo’s Sluggish Play
Mixed Doubles Final: The Indians lost a set point when a rare Mirza forehand smacked into the net. Both teams committed several faults in the Tiebreaker, starting with a double fault by Bopanna.
The Brazilians dominated the Indians in the 2nd set, seizing the tempo. After Matos defeated Mirza in a drawn-out forehand back-and-forth in the 4th game, they were awarded the breakthrough. The Brazilians didn’t even manage to serve for the Championship; instead. They expertly wrapped things up on Mirza’s serve since neither Bopanna nor Mirza could work any personal or group brilliance.
Mixed Doubles Final: The Brazilian Pair had a 7-match Winning Streak
Mixed Doubles Final: Stefani and Matos broke Mirza’s service in the 4th game of the 2nd set to gain the advantage 3-1. After a drawn-out interaction between the sides, the break point was reached.
Stefani and Matos have won 7 Matches in a row at the United Cup and at Melbourne Park. Matos became the 5th Brazilian male to capture a major Championship. While Stefani is now the 2nd Brazilian woman to clinch a Grand Slam.
Mixed Doubles Final: Sania Mirza’s Emotional Farewell
Mixed Doubles Final: After companion Caty McNally dropped, Stefani, who had won 18 of 20 Women’s Doubles encounters after recovering from a knee injury in September. Stefani was unable to participate in the Melbourne Women’s Doubles event.
In their remarks after receiving their trophies. Matos and Stefani both paid tribute to Mirza, 36, who was competing in her last Grand Slam Match. 3 in Women’s Doubles and 3 in Mixed, Mirza won 6 significant Championships in her tenure.
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