Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai Capture Australian Open Women's Doubles Title

Elise Mertens of Belgium and Zhang Shuai of China triumphed in the women's doubles final at the 2026 Australian Open, defeating Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan and Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia with a score of 7-6(4), 6-4. The match, held on January 31, 2026, showcased a remarkable comeback from Mertens and Zhang, who initially trailed 3-0 and 4-1 in the first set. They rallied to win the first set in a tiebreak and took a commanding 5-0 lead in the second set before ultimately securing the title despite a late resurgence from their opponents.

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This victory marks Mertens' sixth Grand Slam doubles title and her third Australian Open title, having previously won in 2021 and 2024. For Zhang, it is her third Grand Slam title, adding to her previous wins at the 2019 Australian Open and the 2021 US Open. The win also signifies Mertens' return to the No. 1 ranking in women's doubles, marking her 40th cumulative week at the top.

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The match lasted 1 hour and 48 minutes, with Mertens and Zhang demonstrating resilience throughout. After initially falling behind, they won four consecutive games to take control of the first set. In the second set, despite leading 5-0, they faced a challenge as Danilina and Krunic won four straight games, but Mertens ultimately served out the match to clinch the title.

Mertens and Zhang win Australian Open women's doubles crown

Mertens expressed her joy, stating, "This is like cherry on the cake," highlighting the emotional significance of the victory. She noted the challenges they faced earlier in the tournament, including saving three match points in the second round, which helped them grow as a team. Zhang emphasized their adaptability, saying, "We know how to play finals. We know how to win finals."

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While the match was celebrated, Danilina and Krunic's performance was commendable, as they had previously reached the finals of other Grand Slam events. Danilina, reflecting on the match, noted the difficulty of the tiebreak and the challenges they faced against the experienced duo of Mertens and Zhang.

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Following this victory, Mertens and Zhang will look to build on their success as they prepare for upcoming tournaments, including the French Open, where they aim to continue their strong performance as a newly reunited team.

Elise Mertens, Zhang Shuai win Australian Open doubles crown

• “This is like cherry on the cake,” — Elise Mertens, Belgian Tennis Player

Elise Mertens, Zhang Shuai win Australian Open doubles crown

• “We know how to play finals. We know how to win finals,” — Zhang Shuai, Chinese Tennis Player

Elise Mertens, Zhang Shuai win Australian Open doubles crown

• “It's been quite a week so far,” — Elise Mertens, reflecting on their tournament journey.

Mertens and Zhang win Australian Open women's doubles crown