The doubles competition at the WTA Finals in Riyadh has been marked by a dramatic rise in the fortunes of the Taiwanese player Hsieh Su-Wei and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, both of whom emerged as formidable contenders after a resounding victory. In the afternoon session on Monday, the sixth-seeded duo triumphed over the top-seeded Italian pair of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-3, 6-4, edging them closer to a place in the semi-finals.
Following their impressive showing, Hsieh and Ostapenko solidified their position in the final four, thanks to a victory by Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. The Belgian-Russian pair outlasted American Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs from the Netherlands in a rollercoaster match that ended 6-4, 6-7(6), [10-6]. This win kept Mertens and Kudermetova’s aspirations alive as they hunt for a second title.
Hsieh and Ostapenko’s performance has been a testament to their growing synergy, especially following their previous struggles against Errani and Paolini. Early on, they found themselves trailing against Kudermetova and Mertens, but bounced back to win. This time, they were relentless from the first point, immediately asserting control with a return winner from Hsieh that set a positive tone. The pair navigated swiftly to a 3-0 lead, buoyed by Ostapenko’s aggressive volleying and strategic slicing to create opportunities.
Unfortunately for Errani and Paolini, their trademark energy seemed absent during the match. Paolini, in particular, struggled with health issues that hindered her competitive spirit, causing the Italians to lose momentum. As they battled through the opening set, they constantly found themselves outmaneuvered at the net.
In the second set, there was a momentary resurgence from Errani as she began to impose her presence at the net, but Ostapenko’s resilience shone through when it mattered most. With the score at 40-15 against her, she executed a brilliant backhand volley and returned sharply to seize match point, which Hsieh converted with another impeccable volley.
“This match was a huge turnaround for us after our last encounter,” Hsieh noted, reflecting on their earlier defeat to the same opponents in Beijing. Ostapenko praised her partner’s performance, stating, “We knew we had to stay aggressive to keep them under pressure.” Despite momentary frustrations during crucial points, the duo maintained a supportive atmosphere that carried them through.
On another court, Kudermetova and Mertens faced off against Muhammad and Schuurs in a tightly contested match that showcased their determination. After a strong start that saw them take the first set, they found themselves in a tight battle in the second, leading to a tense tiebreak. The previous WTA Finals champions dug deep, ultimately winning in the match tiebreak with strategically placed shots that highlighted their teamwork.
Mertens lauded their partnership, acknowledging the contributions of their opponents, while also expressing satisfaction with the win that propelled them into a decisive encounter against Errani and Paolini on Wednesday. The stakes are high, as only one team will advance to the semi-finals after a season where they’ve met multiple times, with Errani and Paolini holding an edge from previous encounters.
As the tournament continues, the expected level of competition intensifies. With several teams eager to chase glory, the outcomes in Riyadh will serve as crucial moments for all the competing doubles pairs.
