Verbeek and Siniakova are firmly in control of the tie-break. With a service game at 4-2, they quickly advance to 5-2 as Salisbury sends a straightforward forehand wide. A crucial point arrives on Salisbury’s serve, with the British-Brazilian duo trailing 5-3. Verbeek delivers a flawless return that lands on the line, granting them three championship points. They capitalize on the first opportunity as Siniakova executes a perfect overhead forehand smash. Verbeek and Siniakova clinch the match with scores of 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3).
Heartbreaking news for Salisbury, who endures yet another loss in a Wimbledon final following his disappointment in 2021.
In a pivotal moment during Siniakova’s service game, all four players engage in a thrilling point, although Verbeek ultimately sends the ball long. The Dutch-Czech duo regains control thanks to Verbeek’s performance at the net. Siniakova’s serve is particularly effective, reminding everyone why she holds the title of world No. 1 in doubles. They hold their serve to 15, leading us into a tie-break.
Both pairs maintain their serves, with Salisbury and Stefani taking a 6-5 lead in the second set. Verbeek and Siniakova are now tasked with serving to push the set into a tie-break.
In a significant moment of the second set, Verbeek and Siniakova find themselves with three break points. Despite Stefani’s valiant efforts to save the first two, Verbeek capitalizes on a weak return from Stefani with a forehand volley, achieving the first break of the match and taking a 2-1 lead in the second set.
On Centre Court, the crowd is lively, but the early stages of the first set have not unfolded as the local fans hoped. Britain’s Joe Salisbury and his partner Luisa Stefani narrowly lost the first tie-break 7-3 to Verbeek and Siniakova.
The mixed doubles championship match is being played on a Thursday evening for the first time in history. This adjustment came after last year’s plans were derailed due to wet weather, but this time, the change has gone smoothly.
