It will not be said that French tennis is completely absent from the winners of the 2022 edition of the Australian Open.
And, as often, it is to Kristina “Kiki” Mladenovic that he owes it.
Everyone remembers his performances during the 2019 Fed Cup final against Australia in Perth.
Kiki had participated in the three-point victory, easily winning her first singles match against Tomljanović then overthrowing world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in three sets and finally, winning the decisive double with Caroline Garcia against the pair Barty- Stosur.
Victory in 2 sets against the Australians Fourlis and Kubler
This time, the great Frenchwoman, associated with the Croatian Ivan Dodig, imposed herself in the mixed doubles tournament of the Australian Open, this Friday morning very early while Rafael Nadal qualified for the final of the men's singles, thus approaching a 21st Grand Slam title.
The Franco-Croatian pair beat Australians Jaimee Fourlis and Jason Kubler 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
And there is another Grand Slam to add to Kristina Mladenovic's prize list!
The Frenchwoman won the mixed doubles title alongside Dodig!
https://t.co/UKydZqM7s1
— Charlotte 🎾 (@MadameTennis) January 28, 2022
Eliminated in singles in the first round by the Swiss Belinda Bencic, 22nd player in the world, and in doubles, associated with Caroline Garcia, in the 2nd round, the Dunkirk, ranked only 88th in singles, nevertheless adds an 8th Grand Slam title to her list.
5 Majors in doubles and 3 in mixed doubles
Mladenovic has indeed won five Majors in doubles (Roland-Garros 2016 with Garcia, Roland-Garros 2019 and 2020 with Timea Babos, as well as the Australian Open 2018 and 2020 with Babos).
And she won Friday in Melbourne her 3rd Major in mixed doubles after Wimbledon 2013 and Australia 2014 associated with Canadian Daniel Nestor.