PARIS (VG) (Eikeri / Vliegen – Shibahara / Koolhof 6–7, 2–6) Ulrikke Eikeri (29) and Joran Vliegen (28) stood in a sensational way in the final of the French Open in mixed doubles. That said, the adventure stopped.
Just updated
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Coincidences led to Ulrikke Eikeri and Joran Vliegen together. On Thursday, the Norwegian / Belgian duo improbably stood in a French Open final in mixed doubles.
Eikeri and his partner had a tough time there, but second place in the big tournament is a feat for the history books in Norwegian tennis. The match was decided over two sets, and Ena Shibahara and Wesley Koolhof happily stretched their arms in the air when the last point was secured.
– Thank you for playing with me, Vliegen told Eikeri after the match.
– Congratulations to your opponents. You have played incredibly well all week. Enjoy the victory, said Eikeri and continued:
– It is a dream come true. Thank you for playing with me Joran, thank you for taking care of me. It has been fantastic to play together.
The French Open is shown on Discovery +. Watch Casper Ruud’s semi-final on Friday around 17.30 at MAX and Discovery +.
Higher ranked and second-seeded Shibahara and Koolhof were big favorites before the gravel final, but really had to fight for victory in the first set. The duos broke each other’s serve once each and the set had to be decided in a tiebreak. Eikeri / Vliegen led 4-2, but after five straight points it was the Japanese and the Dutchman who took the first step.
In the second set, the opponents showed why they were predicted to win in the mixed doubles final. Twice they broke Eikeri / Vliegen’s serve, and secured the relentless final victory with the serve in their own hands.
It is Shibahara and Koolhof’s first Grand Slam victory.
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