Melbourne, Australia, 23 January 2023 | Leigh Rogers

Storm Hunter has advanced to the women’s doubles quarterfinals at Australian Open 2023.

The 28-year-old Australian and Belgian partner Elise Mertens recorded a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 win against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic and Romanian Monica Niculescu in third-round action at Rod Laver Arena this evening.

“It’s been a lot of fun to come out and play on Rod Laver Arena,” said Hunter, thanking the Aussie crowd for their support.

The fourth-seed combination, who are teaming up for the first time this fortnight, sealed victory in an efficient 63 minutes.

“It clicks you know,” Mertens said of their new partnership. “We have a lot of fun together and we stay positive.”

This matches Hunter’s career-best women’s doubles result at her home Grand Slam. The world No.12, who lives in Melbourne, also made the quarterfinals at last year’s Australian Open.

To progress further, Hunter and world No.5 Mertens will need to beat Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk and Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the quarterfinals.

Hunter’s progression means nine Aussie players in total, across the men’s, women’s and mixed competitions, have advanced to doubles quarterfinals at this year’s Australian Open.

> READ MORE: Aussie wildcards charge in AO 2023 men’s doubles quarterfinals

AUSSIES IN ACTION – Australian Open

TODAY’S RESULTS
Women’s doubles, third round
[4] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Elise Mertens (BEL) d Viktorija Golubic (SUI)/Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-2 6-2

COMING UP
Women’s doubles, quarterfinals
[4] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Elise Mertens (BEL) v Marta Kostyuk (UKR)/Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU)

> VIEW: Full Australian Open 2023 women’s doubles draw

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