Britain’s Joe Salisbury won the French Open mixed doubles alongside Krawczyk

Joe Salisbury and American Desirae Krawczyk won the mixed doubles at Roland Garros on Thursday, ending Britain’s 39-year wait for a main event victory at the French Open.

On a sun-bathed Philippe Chatrier court, Krawczyk and Salisbury came back from a set down to defeat Elena Vesnina and Aslan Karatsev of Russia 2-6 6-4 (10-5) to claim the title.

The Russians appeared to be in command in the first set, breaking their opponent’s serve twice to take the lead, before Krawczyk and Salisbury converted their only breakpoint opportunity late in the second set to force the match into a tie-break.

They extended their momentum into the tie-break, jumping out to a 4-0 lead early on, which proved to be enough in the end.

Salisbury, who has been playing mixed doubles with Krawczyk since the 2018 U.S. Open said, “They killed us in the first set, and I think that it was a combination of sort of us getting better, then they dropped their level a bit.”

Britain’s last title at the claycourt Grand Slam had also come in mixed doubles.
John Lloyd teamed up with Australian Wendy Turnbull to win one of the five main draw titles in 1982.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, mixed doubles, which are only played at the four Grand Slams and not on the professional tours, were not played at Roland Garros last year.

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