Aussies John Peers and Olivia Gadecki claim back-to-back Australian Open titles with dramatic come-from-behind win

Local wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki have gone back-to-back at the Australian Open in a dramatic match tiebreak, winning the mixed doubles title inside Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

The Aussies, 14 years apart in age, came from behind to defeat French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 4-6 6-3 (10-6) in 93 minutes.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aussie stars claim back-to-back titles in dramatic tiebreak.

Peers and Gadecki are the first pair to win two straight mixed doubles titles in Melbourne since Czech great Jana Novotna and American Jim Pugh in 1988-89.

The final started inauspiciously for the Aussies when Peers was broken in the first game, and despite getting one break they dropped two more to trail 2-5 as the veteran continued to make uncharacteristic errors.

They saved two set points to break back but Mladenovic and Guinard confidently served it out at their next opportunity.

Peers stood up in the second set as he and Gadecki claimed the only break to level the match and send it to the deciding 10-point tiebreak.

Neither side could get away but the French stars were on the brink with a 7-5 lead — only to crumble and lose three points in a row off their own racquets.

Peers hit a brilliant return winner to earn two championship points, and victory was sealed on the second when first-time grand slam finalist Guinard’s backhand return flew into the net.

“Gee I don’t quite know where to start. I can’t believe we’re in this position right now,” Gadecki said in the presentations.

“Peersy, for wanting to play with me again this year, thank you so much for letting me share the court with you.

“Holding the trophy again is incredible. I knew we could do it but I didn’t know if we could really do it, if you know what I mean.”

Peers was “speechless” as he thanked Gadecki for teaming up, saying he hoped to do so again.

The Olympic men’s doubles gold medallist said it was “even sweeter” to win the title on home soil.

The Aussies’ triumph continues an impressive recent run for local pairings in Melbourne.

Peers won the men’s doubles title in 2017 with Finland’s Henri Kontinen, while Sam Stosur claimed the women’s title in 2019 with China’s Zhang Shuai.

Australia triumphed in the men’s doubles in 2022 (Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis), 2023 (Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler) and 2024 (Matthew Ebden with India’s Rohan Bopanna).

Kubler has the chance to win it again this year after reaching the final with countryman Marc Polmans.

Australians also finished runners-up across the doubles competitions in 2019-22.

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