London: Lyudmyla Kichenok received a lengthy standing ovation after dedicating her Wimbledon mixed doubles title to the people of Ukraine "fighting for their freedom". The 30-year-old Kichenok and her Croatian partner Mate Pavic defeated Belgium's Joran Vliegen and Xu Yifan of China 6-4, 6-7 (9/11), 6-3 in the final on Thursday (Friday in Manila). PHOTO BY SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP"I really hope this helps the people of Ukraine because they are fighting for their freedom," said Kichenok. Former men's doubles world number one Pavic now has three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles to go with his three men's doubles trophies at the majors. His previous mixed doubles major titles came at the 2016 US Open, with Laura Siegemund, and the 2018 Australian Open, with Gabriela Dabrowski.

Source: Manila Times July 14, 2023 14:01 UTC