June 6, 2019 - For the second year in a row, Croatia will have a winner in mixed doubles at Roland Garros! Just as last year, Ivan Dodig will play in the final with Taiwanese partner Latisha Chan, while Mate Pavić in will be on the other side of the net with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski, reports the Croatian Tennis Federation.
Dodig and Chan are one step closer to defending their Roland Garros title after defeating American Nicole Melichar and Brazilian Bruno Soares, the first seed of the tournament, in the semi-final 6:2, 6:1. The semi-final match lasted only 48 minutes. Dodig and Chan only faced two breaks in the match, both of which they were able to save. In the first set, Dodig and Chan took the serve of their opponents twice, and in the second set three times for the new Grand Slam finale.
In the other semi-final, the second-seeded Dabrowski and Pavić secured their place in the final after defeating Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok and Pakistan's Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 6:7 (4), 6:1, 10:8. The Croatian-Canadian duo was able to claim the victory in 92 minutes. This was the second time in two matches that Pavić and Dabrowski came back after losing the first set. Recall, they also prevailed against Zhang Shuai and John Peers in the quarters.
In the 2018 Roland Garros final, Dodig and Chan celebrated against Pavić and Dabrowski 6:1, 6:7, 10:8.
Both Dodig and Pavić already have Grand Slam titles with their current partners. Namely, Dodig and Chan celebrated at Roland Garros last year, while Pavić and Dabrowski won the Australian Open last year. Pavić and German partner Friedsam won the 2016 title at US Open, too.
Whether Dodig or Pavić prevails, Croatian tennis has a new Grand Slam winner!
More soon...
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