Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi have claimed the Australian Open 2009 mixed doubles crown in emphatic fashion, downing Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram 6-3 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
The Indian duo avenged their loss in last year’s final, dismantling the French/Israeli pairing in just 54 minutes and tallying 28 winners against just 10 unforced errors for the match.
Bhupathi was also able to end the tournament on a positive note, after going down along with Mark Knowles in three sets to the Bryan brothers in Saturday’s men’s doubles final.
The Indians looked sharp early, barricading the net and preventing the majority of Dechy and Ram’s groundstrokes from finding space.
After breaking in the first game and racing to a 2-0 lead, Mirza and Bhupathi faltered momentarily – surrendering the next three games.
However, some clever work from the back of the court saw them regain the momentum – breaking to love in the next game and setting up a 5-3 lead.
Serving to stay in the set, Dechy and Ram faltered; a Bhupathi forehand winner down the line sealing the set 6-3 for the Indians.
The second stanza was to prove even more decisive.
Holding serve to love in the first game, the Indians continued to confound Dechy and Ram – firing winners from the back of the court and blocking soundly at the net.
Mirza saved a break point on her serve at with an incredibly-angled off forehand winner, eventually holding for a 2-1 lead.
From there, the Indian combination didn’t look back. They reeled off the next four games in emphatic style, breaking Dechy’s serve for a 3-1 lead and the previously-solid Ram serve for 5-1.
Their victory gives Bhupathi a seventh mixed doubles Grand Slam title, and is the first for the Mirza/Bhupathi pairing.
Quick facts
Mirza and Bhupathi won a total of 53 points to their opponents’ 33
Both pairs committed just 10 errors for the match
Mirza and Bhupathi led the winner count with 28 to Dechy and Ram’s 14
Dechy and Ram won only 12 of 42 points when receiving
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