Romanian tennis player Horia Tecau and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the mixed doubles final at Australian Open on Sunday (January 29). This is Tecau's first victory in a Grand Slam tournament and also the first triumph of a Romanian tennis player in a Grand Slam final after that of Virginia Ruzici at Roland Garros in 1979.

Tecau, 27 years old, played his third Grand Slam final after the men's doubles final in Wimbledon, which he lost in 2010 and 2011. Tecau and his Swede doubles partner Robert Lindstedt also made it to the semi-finals at the Australian Open.

Horia Tecau is currently 13th in the ATP Doubles Rankings. After the victory at Australian Open he will have topped winnings of USD one million from tennis.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Australian Open)