Mladenovic and Guo triumph in Wimbledon women’s doubles

LONDON (Agencies): Chinese and French pair Guo Hanyu and Kristina Mladenovic outwitted second seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani 6-3 ​7-5 to win the Wimbledon women’s doubles title on Sunday for ‌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 win. Tenth seeds Guo and Mladenovic were ​quick to read Dabrowski’s early lobs and raced to a 5-0 lead. ​The Canadian-Brazilian pairing of 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 cross-court backhand at ​a tight angle. Serving for ​the championship, ⁠a clinical Mladenovic secured victory with a forehand that her opponents could only lash back into the net. “I just ​feel so lucky to have you on my side ​and with ⁠this trophy now. Thank you for choosing me… trusting me,” an emotional Guo told Mladenovic. 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.