Trophy Ceremony | Final Main Draw | Results | Photo Gallery
MELBOURNE, Australia – After 75 Grand Slam tournaments, former Illini All-American, Rajeev Ram, clinches his first Grand Slam title with partner Barbora Krejcíková (Czech Republic) at the Australian Open on Saturday morning. This also marked the first time the No. 3 seeds competed with each other at a tournament.
The pair won the Australian Open mixed doubles, defeating Aussie pair, John-Patrick Smith and Astra Sharma, in straight sets, 7-6 (3), 6-1. Ram and Krejcíková kept their focus in the first set to clinch the tiebreak in the match opener. The American and Czech duo got off to a quick start in the second set, going 3-0. In just 24 minutes, Ram and Krejcíková went on to win the second set in dominating fashion, 6-1.
"I am so thrilled for Raj (Ram) to put another feather in his cap," said head coach Brad Dancer. "He has had so many great accomplishments and adding Grand Slam winner is a tremendous milestone. Illini Nation is proud."
The No. 3 seeded pair won 78 percent of their first serve points, hit 19 winners and converted 3-of-12 of their break point chances in an hour and 11 minutes of play.
A career achievement, Ram's only previous Grand Slam final appearance was a runner-up finish in the 2016 U.S. Open mixed doubles with fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 34-year old won a silver medal in the mixed doubles with partner, Venus Williams.
After an hour and 6 minutes, Ram and Krejcíková defeated María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) and Neal Skupski (GBR) in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4 during the semifinals. For the first time in his career, Ram advanced to the Australian Open final.
During quarterfinals, Ram and Krejcíková passed the test, defeating No. 5 seed Anna-Lena Grönefeld (GER) and Robert Farah (COL), 6-2, 7-5. In the second round, Ram and Krejcíková came out strong against Poland duo Iga Swiatek and Lukasz Kubot, winning the first set, 6-3. In another match tiebreak, Ram and Krejcíková defeated the wildcard pair, 6-3, 4-6, (10-5).
Ram and Krejcíková opened the tournament with an exhilarating match tiebreak against mixed pair, Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA). The United States and Czech Republic Duo clinched the victory 1-6, 6-2, (10-6) to advance to the second round.
Ranked No. 22 in the ATP Doubles Rankings, Ram is looking to move up after this monumental victory. Ram's best finish came in 2017 when he ranked No. 11 in the ATP Rankings due to a 35-22 doubles match record and four ATP Tour titles.
In the News
ATP Tour – Krejcikova/Ram Win Australian Open Mixed Doubles Title
ESPN – Rajeev Ram, Barbora Krejcikova combine to win Australian Open mixed doubles
The Washington Post – Ram-Krejcikova combine to win Australian Open mixed doubles
WTA Tour – Krejcikova, Ram clinch Melbourne mixed doubles crown over Sharma, Smith
Indianapolis Star – Carmel's Rajeev Ram wins Australian Open mixed doubles title
The Charlotte Observer – The Latest: Ram-Krejcikova win Australian Open mixed final
The Washington Times – Ram-Krejcikova combine to win Australian Open mixed doubles
The New Indian Express – Australian Open: Rajeev Ram-Barbora Krejcikova win mixed-doubles final
WTA Tour – Krejcikova, Ram kick off Melbourne mixed doubles with comeback over Bacsinszky, Mahut
Road to Victory
Round 1 | def. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA) 1-6, 6-2, (10-6)
Round 2 | def. (WC) Iga Swiatek (POL) / Lukasz Kubot (POL) 6-3, 4-6, (10-5)
Quarterfinals | def. No. 5 Anna-Lena Grönefeld (GER) / Robert Farah (COL) 6-2, 7-5
Semifinals | def. María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) / Neal Skupski (GBR) 6-0, 6-4
Final | def. (WC) John-Patrick Smith (AUS) / Astra Sharma (AUS) 7-6(3), 6-1
Social Reactions
Follow the Illini
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Men's Tennis. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for complete coverage.
