Mertens and Zhang Reunite to Capture Australian Open Women’s Doubles Title
Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai overcome a first-set deficit to triumph in Melbourne and clinch the 2026 women’s doubles crown
Elise Mertens of Belgium and China’s Zhang Shuai rallied from an early deficit to claim the women’s doubles title at the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne, completing a remarkable comeback and solidifying their status among the sport’s elite.
The fourth-seeded pair, reunited after several years apart as teammates, trailed 3-0 and 4-1 in the opening set before overturning the momentum to defeat Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina and Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunić 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in a compelling championship match on Saturday.
Their victory at Melbourne Park marked the first major title for the duo as a team and extended Mertens’s Grand Slam trophy tally while confirming Zhang’s continued excellence at the highest level of doubles competition.
Mertens, who is set to regain the world No. 1 doubles ranking with the win, and Zhang displayed tactical cohesion and resilience against their opponents, who had themselves enjoyed a breakthrough run to the final.
The pair had saved match points earlier in the draw and carried that tenacity into the final, prevailing in the first set tiebreak before securing the second set with steady serving and net play.
The title caps a successful fortnight for Mertens and Zhang at the first Grand Slam of the season and underscores their effective partnership on the hard courts of Melbourne Park.
The fourth-seeded pair, reunited after several years apart as teammates, trailed 3-0 and 4-1 in the opening set before overturning the momentum to defeat Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina and Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunić 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in a compelling championship match on Saturday.
Their victory at Melbourne Park marked the first major title for the duo as a team and extended Mertens’s Grand Slam trophy tally while confirming Zhang’s continued excellence at the highest level of doubles competition.
Mertens, who is set to regain the world No. 1 doubles ranking with the win, and Zhang displayed tactical cohesion and resilience against their opponents, who had themselves enjoyed a breakthrough run to the final.
The pair had saved match points earlier in the draw and carried that tenacity into the final, prevailing in the first set tiebreak before securing the second set with steady serving and net play.
The title caps a successful fortnight for Mertens and Zhang at the first Grand Slam of the season and underscores their effective partnership on the hard courts of Melbourne Park.
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