Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova Win Women’s Doubles at Australian Open

American tennis player Taylor Townsend and Czech partner Katerina Siniakova triumphed in the women’s doubles final at the Australian Open on Sunday, defeating Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3. The win marked a significant milestone for Townsend, who returned to the court where her career began, having played here as a 15-year-old in 2012 when she won the junior category.

“This is very special for me,” said Townsend after the match. “The last time I played on this court, I was 15, and in 2012, I won the junior category here. This is where my career started, and honestly, being here is very special because this tournament is the only one where I’ve been able to realize my dream.”

The top-seeded Townsend and Siniakova were in control for much of the match, taking an early 6-2, 5-3 lead and having the chance to serve for the match at 5-4 in the second set. However, third seeds Hsieh and Ostapenko fought back, winning the second set in a tie-break and breaking early in the third set. Despite the setback, Townsend and Siniakova’s teamwork and composure in crucial moments proved pivotal.

This victory marked their third Grand Slam title together, following their Wimbledon win last year and a semifinal appearance at the US Open. The pair capitalized on weaknesses in Hsieh’s serve, especially with Ostapenko positioned at the net, breaking Hsieh’s serve four times during the match. Siniakova sealed the win with a crucial break in the final set, and Townsend clinched the match with a decisive net play.

The final was contested in warm conditions, with temperatures around 22°C (71.6°F) and a fast court. Townsend’s left-handed serve was particularly effective, helping them race to a 5-1 lead in just 30 minutes. Despite Hsieh and Ostapenko’s efforts to fight back, Townsend and Siniakova finished the first set in 37 minutes with a love hold from Siniakova to close it out at 6-2.

Regardless of the outcome, Siniakova’s victory would secure her place at the top of the WTA doubles rankings, extending her stay to 136 weeks, the fifth-longest reign in history. She has reached the semifinals or better at the last five Grand Slam events, showcasing her consistency and dominance in doubles.

The second set was a more tightly contested affair. Ostapenko and Townsend exchanged holds before Hsieh was broken at 2-1. Ostapenko, however, raised the intensity, breaking Townsend to level the set at 3-3. The momentum shifted, and after a break by Hsieh, Townsend had the chance to serve for the match at 5-4. But again, Hsieh and Ostapenko leveled the set at 5-5, forcing a tense tie-break, which they eventually won to take the set 7-6.

In the final set, the quality of play remained high, but Siniakova and Townsend’s partnership proved unbreakable, culminating in a decisive break and a 6-3 win to claim the championship.