Unseeded Dutch pair Kiki Bertens and Demi Schuurs have teamed to win their first title together at the Brisbane International on Saturday night.
Bertens and Schuurs defeated fourth seeds Andreja Klepac and María José Martínez Sánchez 7-5, 6-2 in 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Speaking to a stadium still full after the women’s singles final, Bertens thanked her countrywoman.
“It’s really fun to play together and finally be able to speak Dutch on court,” Bertens said. “I’m happy to have you by my side, so thanks for that.”
With 12 doubles titles between them, to different partners, the victory builds on their previous best result together of a finals appearance in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last year.
It was a good win for the Dutch team with the more experienced pairing of 35-year-old Martínez Sánchez, of Spain, and 31-year-old Klepac, of Slovenia, holding 23 doubles titles between them, including a win and several finals appearances together in 2017.
“Last year you had a great season, sorry for today but it’s a good start for the rest of the year,” Bertens said.