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Dutchwoman Esther Vergeer collected her seventh Australian Open women’s wheelchair doubles title on Friday, combining with countrywoman Sharon Walraven, 41, to defend the title they won last year.

Vergeer, 30, has built a reputation as one of the world’s best athletes. She is currently on a winning streak that has stretched to more than 430 singles matches and has won 38 Grand Slam titles in her illustrious career. This was her 20th doubles Grand Slam title.

But the No. 1 seeds had to fight hard to earn this victory. They were tested by fellow Dutchwomen Aniek Van Koot and Marjolein Buis, the No. 2 seeds, and needed two hours and three sets to close out their tenacious opponents.

Van Koot and Buis won the toss and elected to receive. It was a move that almost paid dividends but they failed to capitalise on break points in the opening game. Games continued on serve until the sixth game, where Vergeer and Walraven pounced on errors from their opponents to take a 4-2 lead.

From there the set belonged to Van Koot and Buis. They reeled off four consecutive games to take the opening set 6-4. Their aggressive play helped them get on top, while Vergeer and Walraven’s chances were being hurt by unforced errors.

Vergeer and Walraven made a better start in the second set, breaking Van Koot’s serve to take a 2-0 lead. Van Koot and Buis immediately broke back only to drop Buis’ serve in the next game. Games continued on serve with Vergeer and Walraven establishing a 5-2 lead.

Buis made a nervous start serving to stay in the set, opening with a double fault. Vergeer and Walraven took advantage and broke to love to wrap up the set 6-2.

The crowd on Show Court Two was enjoying the high quality tennis.  Vergeer was impressing with her strength and depth of shots and her partner was a stand out with her net play. On the other side of the court, big-hitting Van Koot was producing some stunning shots and Buis had the crowd gasping with her ability to get to balls that many able-bodied players wouldn’t.

With one break in hand, the defending champions raced to a 5-2 lead in the deciding set. Van Koot and Buis weren’t done yet though. Buis served to keep them in the match, with the added pressure of knowing she’d lost her two previous service games to love. The No. 2 seeds saved one championship point in the game and managed to hold to keep their hopes alive.

Vergeer then served for the match at 5-3 but was broken. With games back on serve, it looked as though Van Koot and Buis were about to make a remarkable comeback. But it all came undone for the second seeds on Van Koot’s serve. She served three double faults in the game, allowing Vergeer and Walraven to break and take the title, 4-6 6-2 6-4.

It was a second Australian Open and fifth Grand Slam title for Walraven.

“It’s always great to come out to Australia, it is one of my favourite places to play,” Walraven said after the match.

Vergeer thanked the crowd for their support.

“Doubles is fun to play and we had an amazing atmosphere today. It gave me a real kick to play here,” she said.

Vergeer now turns her attention to the women’s wheelchair singles final on Saturday, where she’ll face Aniek Van Koot again. Vergeer has never lost a singles match at the Australian Open and is aiming to win her ninth title.