Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova win the Australian Open doubles for their 7th major championship

On Sunday, Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova won the Australian Open women’s doubles title, extending their Grand Slam winning streak to 24 matches. They defeated Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara by scores of 6-4, 6-3.

The Czech duo won their seventh Grand Slam doubles title, defeating their Japanese rivals in each set’s opening game.

The doubles titles at the US Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open were all won by Czech players last year.

“A big thanks to my partner Barbora,” said Siniakova. “I’m so happy we did it again, it was a nice journey.”

Shibahara and Aoyama were competing in their first Grand Slam tournament and their tenth final together.

The winning streak was the result of “a lot of hard work,” according to Krejcikova.

“So many practices,” she said. “I remember many matches that we got really close. Couple times we were to the semifinals at other Slams, and we weren’t just able to get through. I think with the experience and with everything, as the teams are changing, some teams are not playing anymore or they’re retiring, just generation is changing, as well.”

Shibahara and Aoyama were competing in their first Grand Slam tournament and their tenth final together.

“It was just so close . . . I feel like it was just right there,” Shibahara said. “Obviously our opponents were just too good and solid.

“I feel like the experience was just the difference. I know that I think the next time we’ll have a better shot at it. Overall I’m just really proud of how we’ve been playing together, so really excited for what’s to come.”