2022 Australian Open - Day Twelve
Mixed Doubles final:
Scoring rules: both dumb
At deuce, the next point wins the game. (no advantage)
If sets are 1-1, decider is a 10 point tie break
Wildcards Jaimee Fourlis / Jason Kubler (Australia) v Kristina Mladenovic (France) / Ivan Dodig (Croatia) (5)
The Australians took advantage of the wildcard, and surprised everyone by making it through to the final.
Fourlis, ranked 204 in womens doubles, and Kubler ranked 585 in mens doubles, outplayed a number of more credentialed doubles teams, beginning with 7th seeds Stojanovic and Pavic in the opening round.
The opponents in the final were seeded five for a reason.
Mladenovic, ranked 25 in womens doubles (has been as high as 1), won the AO mixed doubles in 2014 with Daniel Nestor, and the Wimbledon mixed doubles in 2013, also with Nestor.
Dodig, ranked 13 in mens doubles (has been as high as 4), won the Roland Garros mixed doubles in 2018 and 2019 with Latisha Chan, and the Wimbledon mixed doubles, also with Chan.
After the teams held serve in the first two games, the Aussies were first to break, cashing in on the Mladenovic delivery, Kubler’s overhead sealing it.
Fourlis was immediately broken in return, her backhand landing long on the first break point available. 2-2.
3-4, and 0-40, Fourlis was under constant attack, but in the end it was her partner that committed the error costing them another break. Aussies trailed 5-3.
Dodig served for the set.
An excellent lob from Fourlis and 30-30. Mladenovic’s forehand winner produced a set point. A Fourlis return out of court and the fifth seeds were ahead 6-3.
Fourlis double faulted at deuce in game three of set two, which under the silly rules, meant a drop of serve. Aussies down 1-2.
A break back happened on the Mladenovic serve, when at deuce, Fourlis hit straight at Dodig who was forced to protect himself rather than win the point.
Fourlis, yet to hold serve in the match, was broken again, losing the point after deuce, and the Aussies were deep in strife 3-4.
Mladenovic held comfortably and her team was a game away from the title.
Kubler also held, ensuring Dodig would need to serve for the match.
Mladenovic clinched it with a terrific forehand volley winner on championship point.
Kristina Mladenovic and Ivan Dodig deservedly won the 2022 Australian Open Mixed Doubles trophy 6-3 6-4.
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