The Belgian-Russian pair rallied from a set down and a 2-4 deficit in the final set to claim their first doubles title as a team, defeating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan in a thrilling 2-hour and 23-minute contest.

The final featured multiple shifts in momentum. Fourth seeds Hsieh and Ostapenko rallied from a point away from being 1-4 down to take the opening set with five straight games. Eight seeds Kudermetova and Mertens responded with a dominant second set, breaking their opponents thrice.

In the final set, Ostapenko and Hsieh looked on track for the title with, building a 4–2 lead, only for Kudermetova and Mertens to mount a late comeback, winning four straight games to close out the match 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

The match was a showcase of varied shot selection – from deft drop shots and precise lobs to powerful backhands and forehands – ensuring that no two points played out the same way. This diversity of play provided a refreshing contrast to increasingly common hard-hitting baseline exchanges in both WTA and ATP singles and doubles matches, making it the perfect opener for Centre Court on closing day.

The result also denied Ostapenko the chance to become world No. 1 in doubles – a position both Hsieh and Mertens have previously held.

Anyone who watched Mertens dismantle former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina in straight sets in the third round knows she possesses the tactical nous and shot-making to go deep in singles. But doubles is where those same qualities – sharp anticipation, calm under pressure, and seamless court awareness – become even more effective. She’s an awkward opponent to face: rarely relying on raw power. Instead, she constructs points with a deceptive backhand, soft slices, sudden drop shots, and an uncanny ability to land lobs just inside the line. Paired with Kudermetova’s explosive speed and baseline power, the two form a team that’s both unpredictable and hard to counter.

A similar balance defined their opponents. Ostapenko, the former French Open singles champion, brought raw power to the pairing, known for her aggressive returns and heavy groundstrokes. Meanwhile, Hsieh, at 39, may no longer match the physicality of the modern game – her serve often hovering around 60 mph – but her racket remains one of the most deceptive on tour. With extraordinary touch and anticipation, she disguised shots until the very last second, redirecting pace and finding acute angles with seemingly effortless placement. Her ability to manipulate tempo and court geometry has earned her the moniker “The Wizard.”

However, Kudermetova and Mertens capitalised on Hsieh’s lack of physical power by targeting her, instead of Ostapenko, with heavy hitting that overwhelmed her defensive capabilities. This relentless pressure either denied Hsieh the time to deploy her trademark shot disguise or forced her into uncharacteristic errors, disrupting her rhythm and limiting any effective counterattack.

Mertens’ sharp backhand was key in converting these pressured returns into offensive opportunities, allowing her to dictate play and open the court. Their strategy blended heavy baseline hitting with well-timed drop shots, keeping their opponents guessing and off balance throughout the rallies.

In addition, their aggressive and constant net play denied Hsieh and Ostapenko the chance to establish rhythm, further increasing the pressure and limiting their options. This combination of sustained power, tactical variety, and relentless court control ultimately decided the outcome.

This final had echoes of a previous one. In 2021, Kudermetova and Elena Vesnina held two championship points in the Wimbledon final before losing to Hsieh and Mertens in one of the most dramatic doubles matches in recent memory. Four years later, Kudermetova found herself on the winning side – with Mertens again on the court, but this time as her partner rather than opponent.

If you have to save championship point, do it in style, like Su-Wei Hsieh and @elise_mertens 🤩#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/n82O13eaQn

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2021

At 5-4, 30-30, another lengthy rally saw Ostapenko fire a miscue wide, setting up championship point for Kudermetova and Mertens. There, Kudermetova exorcised the ghosts of 2021 by punching a volley winner to seal victory for her team.

“I lost that final, and it was so painful,” Kudermetova said. “Today, I said to myself, I really want it. And it’s [the trophy] mine now.”

For Mertens, who also reached the singles round of 16 this fortnight before falling to world No. 1 and former doubles partner Aryna Sabalenka, the title cements her legacy as one of the most versatile doubles players of this generation. She now holds five Grand Slam doubles titles and is a Roland Garros crown away from completing the career Grand Slam in doubles.

This Wimbledon triumph was just the fifth event since she and Kudermetova reunited after a two-year split. The pair had previously won the 2022 WTA Finals before taking separate paths in 2023 and 2024. But since reuniting this spring, they’ve made back-to-back WTA 1000 finals and now stood tallest at the All England Club.

With this victory, Kudermetova claims her maiden Grand Slam doubles trophy, while Mertens takes home her 22^nd doubles title.

Looking ahead, Mertens expressed excitement for Wimbledon traditions she missed during the pandemic: “We have the Wimbledon [Champions’] Ball to go to. I won it in 2021, and it was COVID, so there was no ball. It’s going to be my first time too. So it’s going to be fun.”

Matthew Borrie

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