Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden became the first locals to win a main draw Australian Open title since 2005 when they clinched the mixed doubles on Sunday.
The Australian duo, both aged 25, beat the Czech-pair Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak 6-3 7-5 in the final at Rod Laver Arena in 73 minutes.
Gajdosova and Ebden both crashed out of the singles competition in the first round, Gajdosova for the eighth time, and had never played together before they got together as a wildcard pairing for the season-opening grand slam.
South African-born Ebden moved to Perth as a child and has been mentored by Australian great Margaret Court, who won 24 grand slam singles titles and 19 women’s and 19 mixed doubles titles at grand slams.
“She has an incredible serve,” Ebden said. “It’s very powerful, one of the best women’s serve on the tour. For me, she’s one of the best players on the women’s tour.
“She’s going to take a lot of confidence from this and head right back up there, even further up than she was before.”
Scott Draper and Samantha Stosur were the last Australian pairing to win a title at Melbourne Park when they clinched the mixed doubles in 2005.
{{/usCountry}}Scott Draper and Samantha Stosur were the last Australian pairing to win a title at Melbourne Park when they clinched the mixed doubles in 2005.
{{/usCountry}}Australians Casey Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty were beaten by Italian top seeds Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani on Friday in the women’s doubles final.