Guo, Mladenovic emotional after win

Chinese and French pair Guo Hanyu and Kristina Mladenovic outwitted second-seeded Canadian-Brazilian duo Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani 6-3, 7-5 to win the Wimbledon women's doubles title on Sunday, their first major triumph together.

Mladenovic, who won six Grand Slam doubles titles between 2018 and 2022, suffered a long-term injury that left her on crutches last year. She paired up with Guo earlier this year.

"It feels like a dream... I definitely cannot believe what just happened now," Mladenovic, 34, said after her maiden Wimbledon title win.

The 10th-seeded pair was quick to read Dabrowski's early lobs and raced to a 5-0 lead. Dabrowski and Stefani fought back to win the next three games, but it was not enough to save the set.

The second seeds looked much more in their element as they pushed for a break in the second set, but their opponents saved two break points as Mladenovic's strong forehands across the court helped them stay even at 5-5.

Guo's backhand returns from the net set up a break point in the 11th game, which the Chinese 28-year-old, playing in her first major final, won with a tightly angled cross-court backhand.

"Kristina, you are a great person and a great player. I'm so lucky to have you on my side. Thank you for choosing me and trusting me," an emotional Guo told Mladenovic in an on-court interview.

"I know we are going to have many more wonderful moments together."

Mladenovic said she was thankful to have Guo as her partner.

"I had no ranking, I had a tough injury last year, and (Guo) did not hesitate at all. I am very proud to be standing here with her," she added.

"It was a lot of work on and off the court, and a lot of fun."

This victory marks the second Grand Slam women's doubles title won by a Chinese player this season, following veteran Zhang Shuai's victory alongside Belgium's Elise Mertens at the Australian Open in January.

AGENCIES