Aryna Sabalenka charms with celebration dance after winning Australian Open doubles crown with Elise Mertens
Aryna Sabalenka's celebration said it all.
The Belarusian young gun and Belgian star Elise Mertens were ecstatic after sewing up the Australian Open women's doubles title - so much so that Sabalenka busted out some groovy dance moves on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka and Mertens joined forces to overcome Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova 6-2 6-3.
Elise Mertens (left) and Aryna Sabalenka (right) celebrate their Australian Open women's doubles title victory. Nine
The Belgian-Belarusian duo dominated the 79-minute clash, proving sharper on returns and smarter with placement as they conquered their opponents in clinical fashion.
It's the second Grand Slam victory the pair have won together after they clinched the US Open title in 2019, while between them they've now conquered a women's doubles title at all four majors.
Mertens said a key to their success was ensuring they had fun - and that was on full display in Sablenka's post-match jig.
Elise Mertens (left) and Aryna Sabalenka (right) posing with the Australian Open women's doubles title silverware. Nine
"I think it's good not to be all stressy all the time," Mertens said in the pair's post-match press conference.
"We have singles and that is pretty stressy already. Then we have doubles, so we try to make it fun.
"But, of course, when we're on court, we want to win."
Sabalenka was eliminated in the fourth round of the singles tournament when she lost 4-6 6-2 4-6 to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.
And Mertens also bowed out in the round of 16, falling 6-7 (5-7) 5-7 to fellow Czech Karolina Muchova.
