Melbourne, AUSTRALIA, January 31, 2004 (AP) - Elena Bovina and Nenad Zimonjic, teaming for the first time, defeated defending champions Martina Navratilova and Leander Paes on Sunday to win the Australian Open mixed doubles title.
Russian right-hander Bovina and Zimonjic, from Serbia-Montenegro,
ended Navratilova's hopes of a 10th Grand Slam mixed doubles title with
a 6-1, 7-6 (3) center-court victory in 1 hour, 9 minutes.
Navratilova, seeded fourth with Paes, has said she will retire from
tournament play at the end of the year.
Bovina, a mixed doubles finalist at the French Open in 2002, was thrilled with their breakthrough Grand Slam triumph.
"When I was a junior my coach made us bury all the trophies for second
and third place," the 20-year-old Bovina said. "I really wanted to keep
this one today, so I really tried.
"It's just great to get a trophy. Doesn't matter if it's singles, doubles,
mixed doubles. It's first place, it's fantastic for me."
She said it was the first time she and Zimonjic had teamed together, and
"I think we did pretty good."
Zimonjic, 27, said he had left a note with WTA Tour officials before the
tournament seeking a partner, and that Bovina had responded.
"I'd like to thank you guys for finding a great partner for me," he said.
Zimonjic, ranked No. 33 in doubles and with seven titles to his credit,
paid tribute to Navratilova, before adding, "You've had enough wins."
Zimonjic had also teamed with Paes to win the Delray Beach doubles
title last year.
