Andy Ram and Nathalie Dechy etched their names into the Roland Garros history book on Thursday with a straight-set win over Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic and Slovenia’s Katerina Srebotnik in the Mixed Doubles final at the French Open.
Zimonjic and Srebotnik, who were the reigning French Open Champions, came out strong breaking both both Ram and Dechy to take a 4-2 lead, but the momentum quickly shifted back when Srebotnik was broken on the decisive 3-3 point. In fact, in each of Srebotnik's five service games the 3-3 point was played out and each time Dechy won the point on her return. In the end French/Israeli pairing delighted the partisan crowd, and triumphed 7-5, 6-3, in 1 hour 12 minutes.
With his trademark smile, Ram dominated the court with a spectacular mix of serves and net volleys, and left his opponents struggling to find an effective strategy of play against him.
This is Ram’s third Mixed Doubles Grand Slam final, and his second Grand Slam trophy, having won the Mixed Championship at Wimbledon in 2006 with partner Vera Zvonareva. Zvonareva, who recently injured her wrist won the US Open Ladies Doubles with Dechy last year and suggested that in her absence Andy and Natalie get together. In a few weeks Ram and Dechy will pair up again to compete for the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles trophy.
This is Ram’s third Mixed Doubles Grand Slam final, and his second Grand Slam trophy, having won the Mixed Championship at Wimbledon in 2006 with partner Vera Zvonareva. Zvonareva, who recently injured her wrist won the US Open Ladies Doubles with Dechy last year and suggested that in her absence Andy and Natalie get together. In a few weeks Ram and Dechy will pair up again to compete for the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles trophy.
