London, Great Britain, 9 July 2023 | Leigh Rogers

Storm Hunter and Belgian partner Elise Mertens have moved one step closer to claiming the Wimbledon 2023 ladies’ doubles crown.

The third seeds were leading 6-2 2-0 against Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu and Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina when their second-round match was postponed yesterday.

That match was scheduled to resume today, however world No.7 Hunter and world No.8 Mertens advanced when their opponents conceded defeat.

> READ: Hunter eyeing big goals at Wimbledon

Hunter is the last remaining Australian in the ladies’ doubles competition, after Daria Saville and Ukrainian partner Kateryna Baindl bowed out in the second round in straight sets.

In mixed doubles action, Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez completed their delayed first-round match against world No.13 Hugo Nys of Monaco and world No.30 Laura Siegemund of Germany.

The fifth-seeded Australians, who are teaming up for the first time at this tournament, recorded a 6-3 6-4 victory to make a promising start to their campaign.

Jason Kubler and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe were unable to make the most of an alternate spot in the draw, exiting in the first round to world No.14 Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and world No.28 Marta Kostyuk from the Ukraine.

Meanwhile, wildcards Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter were eliminated in the second round against world No.25 Joran Vliegen of Belgium and world No.27 Xu Yifan from China.

Aussies in action – Wimbledon

RESULTS
Ladies’ doubles, second round
[3] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Elise Mertens (BEL) d Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)/Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) 6-2 2-0 ret.
Wu Fang-Hsien (TPE)/Zhu Lin (CHN) d Daria Saville (AUS)/Kateryna Baindl (UKR) 6-4 6-3

Mixed doubles, first round
[5] Matt Ebden (AUS)/Ellen Perez (AUS) d Hugo Nys (MON)/Laura Siegemund (GER) 6-3 6-4
Marcelo Arevalo (ESA)/Marta Kostyuk (UKR) d [Alt] Jason Kubler (AUS)/Erin Routliffe (NZL) 7-5 6-2

Mixed doubles, second round
Joran Vliegen (BEL)/Xu Yifan (CHN) d [WC] Alex de Minaur (AUS)/Katie Boulter (GBR) 6-3 4-6 7-6(2)

> READ: Thompson and Purcell eliminate No.14 seeds in Wimbledon doubles

COMING UP
Ladies’ doubles, third round
[3] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Elise Mertens (BEL) v TBC

> VIEW: Wimbledon 2023 ladies’ doubles draw

Mixed doubles, second round
[5] Matt Ebden (AUS)/Ellen Perez (AUS) v Kevin Krawietz (GER)/Yang Zhaoxuan (CHN)

> VIEW: Wimbledon 2023 mixed doubles draw

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