Highlights:
- Rafael Matos and Luisa Stefani of Brazil defeated Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna in the match.
- The Indian duo was defeated in straight sets.
- Mirza has six doubles titles to round off her Grand Slam career.
On January 27, the Brazilian duo of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos defeated Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles final. The Indian duo suffered a 6-7 (2-6), 2-6 defeat at Rod Laver Arena.
Sania Mirza’s Grand Slam career had the kind of fairytale ending as the set was perfectly staged. However, despite the 36-year-best old’s attempts, that ultimately wasn’t the case. In her remarkable career, she won six doubles championships.
After conceding an early break of serve, the Indian duo didn’t have a fantastic start. They made amends, though, by winning one to level the opening set at 2-2 before taking a 3-2 lead. Bopanna and Sania gained momentum to regain the lead after falling behind 2-0.
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The Indian team swiftly reclaimed the momentum with a 4-3 advantage after the Brazilians refused to give up and promptly levelled the score at 3-3. Bopanna-Mirza earned their second service break to increase the margin to 5-3 at the crucial time.
BRAZILIAN BREAKTHROUGH ??
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023
Rafael Matos & @Luisa__Stefani are the #AusOpen mixed doubles champions ?#AO2023 pic.twitter.com/yeYMslxva1
The Brazilians, however, weren’t going to give up so quickly. They gained a break back, managed to stay in the set, and eventually levelled it at five. For the third time in the set, Sania held service to give India a 6-5 lead, and Bopanna’s serve was the main concern.
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After failing to hold serve in the first 11 games, Stefanie managed to pull off an ace, giving Brazil two chances to break. Bopanna, however, rescued both points and kept India in the game. However, the Brazilians maintained their serve to force a tiebreaker in the first set.
Before Bopanna’s forehand gave India their first points, they were down 0-3. But Brazil dominated the first set, taking it 7-6. (6-2).
Brazil gained a 3-1 lead after a break of serve in the second set, which was fairly one-sided. The Indian duo was soon in a now-or-never situation as the lead increased to 4-1. Matos and Stefanie, however, won the set and the competition.
Sania Mirza, one of India’s most renowned players ended her remarkable Grand Slam run with Australian Open. After the game, Sania congratulated the Brazilian team on their well-earned victory. The star tennis player, however, found it difficult to contain her tears as she began to narrate her journey.
“My professional career started in Melbourne… I couldn’t think of a better arena to finish my [Grand Slam] career at.”
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023
We love you, Sania ❤️@MirzaSania • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/E0dNogh1d0
Sania participated in her 11th Grand Slam final. She has a total of 43 doubles victories, including six Grand Slams, and has spent 91 weeks at the top of the WTA women’s doubles rankings.
The star athlete’s career is not over yet. Next month, she will compete in her last tournament at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai.