Hingis, Paes claim Aust Open mixed crown

Veterans Martina Hingis and Leander Paes have taken out the Australian Open mixed doubles title in their first major together as a pairing.

Hingis, 34, and Paes, 41, dispatched defending champions Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic and Canada’s Daniel Nestor 6-4 6-3.

They hadn’t dropped a set during the tournament.

Having broken Mladenovic to go 5-3 up in the second set, Paes served to Nestor on the first championship point, with the seventh-seeded pairing taking the title when Mladenovic pushed a forehand into the net.

It was Hingis’ 16th grand slam win across singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

She played in the main draw of the Australian Open for the first time back in 1995.

“After 20 years being back on that court … who would have thought?” Hingis said.

“It’s not even like the cherry on top, it’s more than that to be there and to be able to hold another trophy with Leander.

“It’s more than I could ever dream of.”

The win gives Hingis her ninth Australian Open major title, with the Swiss having won three singles crowns, four women’s doubles and two mixed doubles trophies.

It is Paes’s third Australian mixed doubles title, which takes his career grand slam tally to 15 – eight doubles and seven mixed.

“It’s a treat to play with Martina,” Paes said.

“Our understanding of each other is amazing. On the court I just feel like I have such a big advantage because I don’t have to overplay.

“Martina is such a smart tennis player and she knows exactly what movements I’m going to do and I know what movements she’s going to do.”

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