Ageless Wonder Hsieh and Mertens Team up for Aussie Open Doubles Crown

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 27, 2024

When Hsieh Su-Wei made her return to tennis after an 18-month hiatus final spring, the previous World No.1, nonetheless adorned, most likely would have had hassle think about the success that she’d have in her first 4 majors performed.

Lower than a 12 months later the 38-year-old has added three main doubles title to her trophy case in addition to her first profession blended doubles crown at a Slam.

Hsieh took residence two titles this weekend in Melbourne, successful the blended title with Jan Zielinski (d. Krawczyk and N. Skupski) 6-7(5), 6-4, 11-9), earlier than pairing with former accomplice Elise Mertens to snag her seventh main doubles title, 6-1, 7-5 over Lydia Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko.

🏆 in sync 🏆#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qdArd3L5qj

— wta (@WTA) January 28, 2024

Hsieh grew to become the primary lady to win the Australian Open blended doubles and ladies’s doubles crown in the identical 12 months since Rennae Stubbs in 2000. She additionally grew to become the second oldest girls’s doubles champion to win a Grand Slam doubles title.

Hsieh has now paired with Mertens for 2 Slam titles – they gained the title collectively at Wimbledon in 2021 as nicely.

Former World No.1 Hsieh has now gained 33 doubles titles, together with two at Roland-Garros and 4 at Wimbledon.

Hsieh Su-wei is the primary participant to win a double delight since Rennae Stubbs in 2000 🔥

Combined Doubles 🏆Girls’s Doubles 🏆#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/R2Yp85YgR2

— ITF (@ITFTennis) January 28, 2024

Remarkably, she has gained all 4 of her Slam titles since her comeback started with completely different companions. She gained Roland-Garros with Wang Xinyu and captured her fourth Wimbledon title with Barbora Strycova.

“It is unbelievable, as a result of I used to be not anticipating something, and I simply attempt to come again to take pleasure in,” Hsieh stated. “So for the primary two Grand Slam, like Roland Garros or Wimbledon, I used to be not even nervous on the court docket within the finals. So I do know that is gonna get into the top of the women, as a result of I used to be just a little bit smiling on the court docket.”

Mertens has now gained two Australian Open titles to go along with one on the US Open and her different title with Hsieh, at Wimbledon in 2021. She is going to return to No.1 within the WTA rankings on Monday.

“Very comfortable to be again on Su-Wei’s aspect. It is superb to play together with her, a lot expertise and nonetheless a lot motivation too. I really feel like we actually are a workforce,” she stated.