Third Doubles Major Is History-Making For Krejcikova

Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova
Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova (photo: Cedric Lecocq/FFT)

PARIS/WASHINGTON, June 13, 2021 (by Michael Dickens)

A day after she lifted the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen trophy in honor of winning her first Grand Slam singles title at the French Open, Barbora Krejcikova returned to the Paris center stage for an encore Sunday afternoon.

This time, with her longtime Czech doubles partner Katerina Siniakova as her co-star, Krejcikova became the first woman since Mary Pierce in 2000 to win doubles titles at Roland-Garros in the same fortnight. The No. 2 seeds Krejcikova and Siniakova defeated formidable opponents Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States and 2020 French Open singles titlist Iga Swiatek of Poland, who were seeded 14th, 6-4, 6-2, in one hour and 14 minutes.

“I do really want to thank everyone for coming today and supporting us, cheering for us and giving us a really nice atmosphere,” Krejcikova said during the trophy presentation. “It was amazing. Same yesterday, same today. I really enjoyed it. I felt super relaxed. I feel really good on this court.

“I want to thank my partner [Katerina]. She’s always there and has been for so many years. I’m just really happy we are doing so well. I’m looking forward to continue and we will more matches. Hopefully, also if the Olympics are happening that we will have a good chance and enjoy it.”

Siniakova added: “It was an emotional two weeks and I’m really happy we finished it like this. It’s amazing we can play in front [of a crowd]. It was a great atmosphere. This is what tennis needs.”

Swiatek told Krejciokova during the on-court ceremony: “I’m just speechless, winning singles and doubles, it’s something else, congrats.”

Krejcikova and Siniakova won 81 percent of their first-serve points and converted five of seven break-point opportunities. They outpointed Mattek-Sands and Swiatek 62-44, and won on their second championship-point try on a Siniakova backhand winner.

It was the second Roland-Garros doubles title for Krejcikova and Siniakova, both 25, and third major overall. The Czech mates, who began their partnership as juniors back in 2013 and won three junior majors together, won their first two Grand Slams at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2018. They were runners-up at this year’s Australian Open. Krejcikova has also won three Australian Open mixed doubles titles.

“I’m really thankful to [Katerina] that she was there, that she was standing next to me,” Krejcikova said during their pair’s press conference. “It felt a little bit easier than yesterday. I’m just really happy that we have another title and looking forward, we’re going to continue with our cooperation in Wimbledon and also for the Olympics. I hope there’s gong to be a bright future for us.”

The loss ended Mattek-Sands’ 5-0 streak in women’s doubles finals. The French Open final was just the third tournament she and Swiatek had played together after forming earlier this year at the Miami Open.

Krejcikova, who will return to WTA Doubles World No. 1 on Monday, also became the first player to sweep both the singles and doubles titles at a Grand Slam tournament since Serena Williams achieved the feat at Wimbledon in 2016.

At the conclusion of their press conference, Krejcikova expressed: “I just know from now on I can really enjoy because I have pretty much achieved everything I really wanted. Now I can just improve, that’s the only thing I can do, just improving.”

One for the history books

 

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