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Hunter title shot gunned down in women's doubles final

3 minute read

Storm Hunter has missed out on the chance to become the first Australian Wimbledon women's doubles winner since 2004.

ELISE MERTENS.
ELISE MERTENS. Picture: Adam Pretty/Getty Images.

Storm Hunter's Wimbledon title dream has been ended at the last hurdle.

The 28-year-old Queenslander and Belgian partner Elise Mertens ran into an inspired display from the veteran pairing of Barbora Strycova and Su-Wei Hsieh in the women's doubles final.

They were beaten 7-5 6-4 in an entertaining match lasting nine minutes under two hours.

While disappointing for Hunter and Mertens, it was a wonderful way to bow out for Strycova who was playing in her final Wimbledon.

"I will love this tournament for ever," the 37-year-old said through tears at the presentation.

"It was a tough match, they played really well," said Hunter.

"For me it's a dream come true to play on Centre Court in the doubles finals. It's about four or five in the morning in Australia, but hopefully they stayed up to watch."

Hunter and Mertens were third seeds and already successful in the Italian Open this year, but the unseeded Czech-Taiwanese combination were champions here in 2019 and they produced a superb display of volleying.

Hunter, the world's No.7 at doubles, struggled on serve being broken four times, though she was not alone.

After four breaks of serve the opening set was poised at 5-6 when Hunter was broken after a lengthy 12th game involving six deuces.

She was broken again in the second set as she and Mertens fell 3-1 down.

However, they broke back and Hunter then secured a crucial hold to make the score 4-4.

But at 4-5, with rain thundering onto the roof so hard the players could barely hear each other, Mertens was broken.

Hunter would have been the first Australian winner in the event since Rennae Stubbs and Zimbabwean Cara Black in 2004.

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