MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan and Poland's Jan Zielinski are the Australian Open mixed doubles champions after beating Desirae Krawczyk of the United States and Neal Skupski of Britain 6-7 (5), 6-4, 11-9 on Friday.
It was the first championship final of the 15-day tournament that began Jan. 14.
Hsieh and Zielinski led 4-0 in the match tiebreaker before Krawczyk and Skupski fought back. The teams were tied 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9 before the winners pulled away with the final two points.
"For me, it's a great comeback story. I've lost in the finals. Last year it was my second time playing Australian Open and it was a bittersweet ending losing in the finals," Zielinski said in their post-match press conference.
"Then coming back here, not achieving it in doubles, which was the main priority, but achieving it in mixed doubles, it's something special. I obviously can't wait to come back here next year."
Hsieh has a chance for a second title—she will play in the women's doubles final at Melbourne Park with Elise Mertens on Sunday. The mixed doubles win Friday was her seventh major doubles title, including four women's doubles titles at Wimbledon.
"Of course it's very exciting and very different than the doubles, because I have win a few (Grand Slams in women's) doubles," Hsieh said. "With mixed doubles, it was exciting and my partner is very good. I know he's very good from the baseline, at the net, and the serve. I just need to do my stuff to put the ball inside the court and pass the net person.
"This is my job, very clear. He's doing his job so I'm doing my job and we're doing good!"