US Open mixed doubles: Storm Sanders wins her first Grand Slam title with John Peers at US Open

Storm Sanders has just claimed her first Grand Slam title. Her first coach shares his excitement and reflects on her early days on Rockhampton’s courts.

Rockhampton -born Storm Sanders and playing partner John Peers celebrate their three-set win in the mixed doubles at the US Open. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Robert Beak was one happy man when he heard that former Rockhampton product Storm Sanders had won the mixed doubles at the US Open.

Sanders and playing partner John Peers beat Belgian Kirsten Flipkens and France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin 4-6 6-4 10-7 in an epic encounter in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It is the first Grand Slam title for 28-year-old Sanders, who also made it to the women’s doubles semi-final at the tournament with Caroline Dolehide of the United States.

It was the first time Sanders and Peers had played together and the first time since 2001 an Australian pairing had won the event.

Rockhampton-born Storm Sanders and playing partner John Peers celebrate their three-set win in the mixed doubles at the US Open. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The victory revived some special memories for Beak, who was Sanders’ first coach.

“Wow! how good is that? Good on them,” he said.

“A US Open mixed doubles title - that’s something special.”

Beak said while he coached Sanders her for less than two years, it was nice to know he had played some part in the formative stages of her career.

“It was very early days. Storm was only five or six and she came along to the Rocky Tennis Centre there and did some lessons,” Beak said.

Tennis coach Robert Beak.

“While she didn’t stand out immediately, after a while I remember thinking to myself, ‘Storm’s really starting to improve’.

“It was probably over a month to six weeks that things started coming together for her, it all just started to click.

“Then a week or two later, her mother came up and said we’re moving to Perth.”

Beak said Sanders returned to Rockhampton to contest several state age tournaments and engaged him for some private lessons leading into them.

“She was 10 or so years of age and she was hitting them like a champion,” he said.

Storm Sanders and John Peers on court in the mixed doubles final against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium and Edouard Roger-Vasselin Elsa/Getty Images/AFP

“What I noticed in those lessons was that she was just tenacious. She had a really good work ethic, she chased everything and her enthusiasm was excellent.”

Sanders played her professional tournament in February 2013.

The talented left-hander has played at the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon.

She has claimed four doubles titles on the WTA Tour, as well as singles and doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.

Australian Federation Cup players Storm Sanders (left) pictured with Ash Barty, who went on to become women’s world number one.

She has said that one of her career highlights was playing in Australia’s Federation Cup team alongside Ash Barty, Sam Stosur and Casey Dellacqua in 2014.

Beak said she would have another incredible one to add to that list now.

“There’s a lot of people around here who would remember Storm,” he said.

“It’s always great to hear of successes like this and it’s wonderful to know we can claim her as a local junior.”