Australia has its first back-to-back Australian Open mixed doubles champions in more than three decades, with John Peers and Olivia Gadecki snatching the win at Melbourne Park.

The local pairing fought back to beat France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 4-6 6-3 (10-6) inside Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.

The win makes Peers and Gadecki the first team to claim consecutive mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh achieved the feat in 1988 and 1989.

After dropping the opening set, the Australians steadied in the second, breaking serve once to level the match and force a deciding 10-point tiebreak.

The tiebreak was tight throughout, with the French pair edging ahead 7-5 before momentum swung back to the home crowd favourites.

Gadecki produced a clean winner to set up two championship points, with the title sealed when Guinard’s return found the net.

“Gee I don’t quite know where to start. I can’t believe we’re in this position right now,” Gadecki said during the presentations.

“Peersy, for wanting to play with me again this year, thank you so much for letting me share the court with you.

“Holding the trophy again is incredible. I knew we could do it but I didn’t know if we could really do it, if you know what I mean.”

Peers said he was “speechless” after the win and thanked Gadecki for teaming up with him again, adding that he hoped to do so in the future.

The Olympic men’s doubles gold medallist said winning back-to-back titles in Melbourne was “even sweeter” on home soil.

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