Historic Victory for Mertens and Zhang at Australian Open 2026
The Australian Open women's doubles final witnessed a remarkable triumph as fourth seeds Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai secured their first Grand Slam title together on Saturday. The Belgian-Chinese duo displayed exceptional resilience and teamwork to defeat the pairing of Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic with a hard-fought scoreline of 7-6(4), 6-4 at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.
A Journey Marked by Dramatic Comebacks
This championship victory represents a significant milestone for both players, with Mertens now holding six Grand Slam titles and Zhang claiming her third. However, their path to glory was nearly cut short in the second round, where they faced three match points against teenagers Iva Jovic and Victoria Mboko. Their ability to save those critical points and continue fighting proved instrumental in their eventual success.
"It's been quite a week so far," said an emotional Mertens, who is poised to ascend to the world number one ranking in doubles. "I'm lost for words. In the second round of doubles, we had three match points against us. We kept on fighting, we kept on believing and we really grew as a team. Today, in the final, I'm happy that I served it out eventually."
Zhang added, "It's the first week that we've actually played together and what a result. It's been amazing."
Final Showdown: Momentum Shifts and Championship Grit
The championship match began with Danilina and Krunic asserting early dominance, racing to a 4-1 lead in the opening set through aggressive baseline play and sharp net movements. However, Mertens and Zhang gradually turned the momentum, winning four consecutive games to level the contest.
As Danilina and Krunic found themselves trailing, they demonstrated renewed composure, playing solidly from the baseline and showing excellent movement at the net. Holding their nerve under pressure, the pair secured two crucial games to stay alive in the set and successfully force a tiebreak.
Experience Prevails in Critical Moments
The tiebreak showcased the championship experience of Mertens and Zhang, with the Belgian underlining her class during a standout point. She produced a flurry of quick-reaction shots to bring up set point before the pair wrapped up the opening set in 55 minutes of intense competition.
Carrying that momentum into the second set, the fourth seeds established a commanding 5-0 lead through assured net play and well-placed winners. Although Danilina and Krunic managed to get on the board and fought back valiantly—saving two championship points as Krunic electrified the Rod Laver Arena crowd—the eventual champions sealed victory on Mertens' serve when Zhang fired a decisive backhand winner at the net.
Reflections from Both Sides of the Net
Despite the loss, Danilina and Krunic expressed pride in their performance. "We had a lot of things we went through this past couple of months," Krunic revealed. "I had a couple of things I had to deal with at home and it wasn't easy for us. But I'm very proud of us, that we found a way to get here, to give ourselves the best chance. I think that's the best we can do and we learn from every loss."
She added, "Out of three Grand Slams together, two finals is a pretty damn good job."
This Australian Open victory not only marks a significant achievement for Mertens and Zhang as a new doubles partnership but also highlights the unpredictable drama and competitive spirit that defines Grand Slam tennis. Their ability to overcome early adversity and maintain composure in championship moments serves as a testament to their skill and determination on the global stage.
