Tennis: Bjorkman and Woodbridge lift doubles crown

Todd Woodbridge has won his 12th Grand Slam title in the mens' doubles in Melbourne.

The Australian teamed up with Swede Jonas Bjorkman to immediate effect after countless successes with Mark Woodforde.

The fourth seeds beat 14th seeds Byron Black and David Prinosil 6-1 5-7 6-4 6-4 in just under three hours.

It was the first time Woodbridge had linked up with Bjorkman at a Grand Slam since the retirement of Woodforde after the Sydney Olympics.

"I hadn't thought of retiring with Mark because I'm still only 29 and I still feel like I have majors in me and I feel I have some more, so that was the driving force of not going with Mark," said Woodbridge.

"Jonas is bringing me out of my shell a bit. He makes me dance on the court, occasionally I put my hat on backwards and I let my shirt out, all the stuff I didn't do before.

"He's a lot of fun and I enjoy playing with him because he gives 110% and that was one of the things that was important to me."

Bjorkman, who has now won three Australian Open doubles titles - the others with Dutchman Jacco Eltingh and Australian Pat Rafter - said it was a great opportunity to partner Woodbridge.

He said: "Unfortunately, Mark finally took the step to retire, but for me it's gets me to another point in my doubles career as well, that I get the feeling of winning the big ones more often and not only in Melbourne."