Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Mertens-Zhang, Danilina-Krunic reach Australian Open final
Two teams, Mertens and Zhang, and Danilina and Krunic, won their matches to reach the final of the Australian Open women's doubles.
Mertens and Zhang won easily in two sets, while Danilina and Krunic had a tough three-set match to win.
Both teams have had ups and downs in the tournament, with Mertens and Zhang saving match points earlier and Danilina and Krunic upsetting the top seeds.
They will play each other in the final on Saturday.
Both teams have played in finals before, so it will be an exciting match.
Mertens and Zhang defeated Shibahara and Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2 in under 90 minutes to reach the final.
Danilina and Krunic won a dramatic three-set match against Dabrowski and Stefani 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the final.
Mertens and Zhang have previously reached a Grand Slam final together at Wimbledon 2022.
Danilina and Krunic upset the top seeds and defending champions Siniakova and Townsend in the quarterfinals.
The final will be a compelling battle between two teams that have experienced both heartbreak and success in major finals.
- Who
- Elise Mertens, Zhang Shuai, Anna Danilina, Aleksandra Krunic, Ena Shibahara, Vera Zvonareva, Gabriela Dabrowski, Luisa Stefani
- What
- Australian Open women's doubles semifinals
- When
- Semifinals played, final scheduled for Saturday
- Where
- Melbourne, Australia (Margaret Court Arena and Rod Laver Arena)
- Why
- Competing for a place in the Australian Open women's doubles final
- Teams in Final
- Mertens-Zhang vs. Danilina-Krunic
- Mertens-Zhang's Path
- Defeated Shibahara-Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2
- Danilina-Krunic's Path
- Defeated Dabrowski-Stefani 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4
- Mertens-Zhang's Ranking
- 4th seeds
- Danilina-Krunic's Ranking
- 7th seeds
- Match Duration
- Mertens-Zhang: <90 mins; Danilina-Krunic: ~2.5 hours
- Previous Final
- Mertens-Zhang: Wimbledon 2022
- Notable Upset
- Danilina-Krunic defeated top seeds Siniakova-Townsend in quarterfinals