| Match: Finished | 1 | 2 |
|---|---|---|
| B. Krejcikova (CZE) (3) | 7(7) | 6 |
| A. Sharma (AUS) | 6(3) | 1 |
| Completed Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set won by B. Krejcikova | 6 - 1 | B. Krejcikova leads 2 to 0 |
| Set won by B. Krejcikova | 7(7) - 6(3) | B. Krejcikova leads 1 to 0 |
Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram defeated the challenging Australian dup of John-Patrick Smith and Astra Sharma in straight sets.
The all-Australian combination of John-Patrick Smith and Astra Sharma will look to bring more success to the home nation at the Australian Open when they take on Rajeev Ram and Barbora Krejcikova in the mixed doubles final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 9:30pm (AEDT).
It’s a shock appearance in the final for Smith and Sharma, who came into the tournament with a wildcard, given to them by tennis Australia.
Following Samantha Stosur’s women’s doubles victory alongside Shuai Zhang yesterday, the Australian combination will be out for more success, but like Stosur and Zhang yesterday, go into this match as absolute outsiders against the third-seeded team.
Sharma really only burst onto the singles circuit this year, qualifying for the Australian Open and then getting a shock victory in the first round over countrywoman Priscilla Hon.
Smith, on the other hand, didn’t actually make the singles draw at the Australian Open this year, with the world No.202, now 30 years of age, something of a journeyman.
Despite that, Smith and Sharma beat the strong team of Bethanie Mattek-Sans and Jamie Murray in the quarter-final and then knocked out second seed Bruno Soares and Nicole Melichar in straight sets during the semi-final, so their form is outstanding.
The third-seed team of Krejcikova and Ram are doubles players through and through. In the women’s game, Krejcikova is the top-ranked player, and by a considerable distance, while in the men’s game, Ram is ranked 21, but has been playing at grand slams since 2001.
Their untold experience should count for something, especially in the case of Krejcikova, who won both the French Open and Wimbledon last year.
They have excellent play to go with a strong team combination which has developed strongly over the last fortnight, and while they haven’t had a tough draw like Sharma and Smith, you’d expect their quality to be no less in the final.
Prediction
It’s hard to see the Australian combination getting up here, but they have had some surprise victories throughout the tournament to make it this far, so there is no question they will fight, scrap and have some moments.
Still, the difference in class here should be too great.
Ram and Krejcikova in straight sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this mixed doubles final at the 2019 Australian Open from around 9:30pm (AEDT) or at the completion of Naomi Osaka versus Petra Kvitova in the women’s singles final on Rod Laver Arena and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below.
Start time: Around 9:30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
TV: Live, Channel 9
Online: Live, 9Now
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 Australian Open. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back tomorrow for the men's singles final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal from 7:30pm (AEDT). Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, CHAMPIONSHIP, RAJEEV RAM/BARBORA KREJCIKOVA
Another fault from Krejcikova. Smith returns well, comes up to the net and moves across, but Krejcikova smacks the backhand into the open court and that will be the end of that.
Smith and Sharma with a great tournament, but in the end, outplayed in the clutch of the second set as Sharma Krejcikova and Ram live up to their favouritism.
Smith/Sharma….. 6 1
Ram/Krejcikova… 7 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
One saved. Fault, then Sharma goes at Ram twice, with the second ball up the sideline a really good one. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 30 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Krejcikova and Sharma up the sideline this time, before Smith comes to the net, moves across and misses a sitter of a volley. Two championship points. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 15 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sharma gets the return in this time, but Krejcikova hits that back to the baseline and Smith can't put the ball back into play. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 15 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Krejcikova. The second is returned on a great forehand by Smith who then comes to the net, follows it in and hits the volley past Ram. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 15 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Smith can't return the serve this time to start the game. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 0 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
DOUBLE BREAK FOR RAM/KREJCIKOVA Fault from Smith. The second is out wide and he comes up for the volley, before Ram goes at Sharma who misses the crosscourt volley. This should be it. Krejcikova serving for the match. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - Ram/Krejcikova... 7 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Smith. The second is just sort of rolled into play, then Sharma hits an overhead and a volley at Krejcikova, before Smith hits one of his own on a tight angle. Deciding point. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 40 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Smith. The second is returned long, so one break point saved, but, including the deciding point, still two to go. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 30 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ram with some more good work at the net and here are a couple more break points on the JP Smith serve. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 15 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Smith serves at Krejcikova this time and Sharma is able to volley a weak return away. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 15 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve and volley from Smith. He plays a second volley, then Krejcikova hits the forehand lob into the corner of the court. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 0 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Smith to serve again. He goes wide and Sharma volleys a good return. Ram then hits one volley, before lobbing at the net and getting it to land in the court. Staggeringly good shot. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 0 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Ram goes out wide to hold serve to love. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - Ram/Krejcikova... 7 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Ram. The second is returned into the grandstand. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 0 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ram now volleying away after a wide serve. He puts the overhead away on the back of a defensive lob from Smith. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 0 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ram to serve again. Goes at Sharma and plays a good volley on the back of a short return, with Sharma coming forward and missing the forehand. Smith/Sharma..... 6 1 - 0 Ram/Krejcikova... 7 3 - 15