[ad_1]
By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) – Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic enjoyed sweet revenge after their heartbreak at the US Open, as they retained their French Open doubles title to claim their fourth Grand Slam as a couple on Sunday.
Hungarian Babos and local favorite Kristina Mladenovic, who were withdrawn from the US Open due to COVID-19 protocols, have now won four of the last 11 women’s majors with a 6-4 7-5 victory against Desirae Krawczyk and Alexa Guarachi at Roland. Final Garros.
Mladenovic and Babos were withdrawn from the tournament before the second round at Flushing Meadows after the Frenchwoman had to remain in quarantine in her hotel room after a card game with Benoit Paire, who tested positive for COVID-19.
“Just weeks after being unfairly disqualified from the US Open, being here with you and with this trophy is very strong,” Mladenovic told Babos in his post-match speech after the pair lifted the Simonne Mathieu Cup.
“Physically, mentally, I’m exhausted today. You took me to the end, I’m proud to have you as a partner.”
Mladenovic now has five women’s doubles titles to her name after also winning the French Open with compatriot Caroline Garcia.
Sunday’s final was an intense competition in which nerves played their part, with 10 of the 22 games against.
After an early exchange of breaks, second-seeded Mladenovic and Babos decisively stole the serve of 14-seeded American Krawzcyk and Chilean Guarachi, 5-3, and took the first set in 50 minutes.
Babos, who won all of her senior women’s doubles titles with Mladenovic, served for the match at 5-4 after five games against, but the pair broke up again, only for Mladenovic to round it out with a forehand winner down the line. after still. another break.
(Report by Julien Pretot; edited by Christian Radnedge)
