In a thrilling display of cross-continental partnership, the Chinese mainland's Zhang Shuai and Belgium's Elise Mertens secured their maiden Grand Slam title as a team at the 2026 Australian Open. The fourth-seeded duo overcame seventh seeds Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic 7-6(4), 6-4 in Saturday's final, demonstrating remarkable resilience under pressure.
The match saw dramatic momentum shifts, with Zhang and Mertens squandering two set points before dominating the first-set tiebreak. A 5-0 lead in the second set nearly evaporated as their opponents mounted a late challenge, but the champions held firm to claim victory after one hour and 48 minutes.
This triumph marks a career milestone for 37-year-old Zhang, who adds a third Grand Slam doubles trophy to her 2019 Australian Open victory. For Mertens, it reinforces her status as one of tennis' most versatile competitors. Their success follows near-misses at Wimbledon and Birmingham earlier this season, showcasing their growing synergy despite only partnering seven times.
The victory holds particular significance for Asian sports fans, with Zhang becoming the first player from the Chinese mainland to win multiple Australian Open doubles titles. Their win underscores the global nature of modern tennis, combining Zhang's powerful baseline game with Mertens' net prowess.
