2002 Australian Open Tennis Title Holders
Men's Singles
Swede Thomas
Johansson caused a major upset at the first Grand Slam event of the year by beating Russian Marat Safin
in fine style. He became the 2002 Australian
Open tennis title holder of the men's singles event by easily outgunning
his opponent 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). Johansson became the first Swede since
Mats Wilander in 1988 to win the title. This also brought him his first Grand Slam
final in 25 attempts! "I've been playing tennis for a long time and this is a
dream for me to win a title like this," the delighted Johansson said. A
disappointed Safin was looking for a second Grand Slam title, but was
out-maneuvered by the 16th seeded Swede, who mixed up the pace of
the rallies. The win made him the lowest-ranked winner for 26 years.
Women's Singles
Defending champion, American Jennifer Capriati just managed to pip Swiss star Martina Hingis to the post and walked away with the women's singles title yet again. The tenacious Capriati had to save four match points before winning 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 at Melbourne Park. Her opponent needed treatment to a leg injury during the match and seemed to be badly affected by the Melbourne heat. After the match, Hingis sat slumped in her chair, and burst into tears. "I just felt like my head was kind of all over the place. I had goose bumps all over my body. It was dehydration", she said.
Men's Doubles
Mark Knowles and Daniels Nestor lifted the men's doubles title, by beating French duo, Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro in two sets, 7-6, 6-3. The Bahamian-Canadian duo had lost all three of their previous attempts at a Grand Slam doubles final. "We put whatever is in the past behind us. I know three is a charm, but I was hoping a fourth time would be a charm as well," said the delighted Knowles.
Women's Doubles
The "Spice Girls" of tennis, Martina Hingis and Anna Kournikova won their second Grand Slam doubles title when they defeated Daniela Hantuchova and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in three sets – 6-2, 6-7, 6-1. The glamorous pair had already lifted the Melbourne title in 1999. "Swiss Miss" Hingis has been successful in the doubles at Australia on two other occasions – in 1997 with Natasha Zvereva and 1998 with partner Mirjana Lucic.
Mixed Doubles
Daniela Hantuchova and Kevin Ullyett smashed Argentine pair Gaston Etlis and Paolo Suarez 6-3, 6-2 to become the 2002 Australian Open tennis title holders of the mixed doubles event. Slovakian Hantuchova has now won all 10 matches she has played in Grand Slam mixed doubles. "This is beyond my expectations," the 18-year-old admitted. Her playing partner, Ullyett has now taken his second Grand Slam title.
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