The Brazilian duo were Australian Open mixed doubles champions in January
Photo: Disclosure
London, England) – Champions of the Australian Open in January, Luisa Stefani of São Paulo and Rafael Matos of Rio Grande do Sul will repeat the 100% national duo for the third consecutive Grand Slam. They made their Wimbledon debut against Italian Andrea Vavassori and Russian Liudmila Samsonova.
If they advance, the Brazilians will face in the second round the winners of the duel between the North American seeds Austin Krajicek and Jessica Pegula and the new couple of the circuit, the Spaniard Paula Badosa and the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The main candidates for the quarter-finals are the Ukrainian Lyudmyla Kichenok and the Croatian Mate Pavic, seventh seeds. The upper quadrant still has two other seeds, the Australians Ellen Perez and Matthew Ebden and the duo formed by the Canadian Leylah Fernandez and the Dutchman Wesley Koolhof, possible opponents of the Brazilians in the semi-finals.
In addition to the title in Melbourne, Stefani and Matos played together at Roland Garros, where they stopped in the round of 16. They will also compete in the All England Club women’s and men’s doubles. Luisa and France’s Caroline Garcia make their debuts against North Americans Caty McNally and Ashlyn Krueger, while Rafa and Portugal’s Francisco Cabral challenge hosts Jonny O’Mara and Liam Broady.
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