Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens emerged victorious at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, claiming their second doubles title at this prestigious event. The pair triumphed over Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani with a scoreline of 7-6(4), 6-1 in a match that lasted one hour and 36 minutes, held at the King Saud University Indoor Arena.
Throughout the tournament, Kudermetova and Mertens showcased their resilience, bouncing back after an initial loss in the group stage to secure their place in the finals. The duo faced a tough competition, including the top-seeded Italian team of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in the round-robin phase, which they managed to defeat in a decisive match. Their semi-final win against the highly favored pair of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend allowed them to advance to the title match, marking a significant achievement given their late start to the season.
In the championship match against Babos and Stefani, who were also formidable opponents with significant experience, Kudermetova and Mertens began strong by breaking serve early to lead. Despite a spirited comeback from their opponents that forced a tiebreak in the first set, the champions prevailed. The second set saw them dominate, allowing them to secure the title comfortably.
This victory not only marks another high point in Kudermetova and Mertens’ partnership but also emphasizes their ability to perform under pressure at major tournaments. Kudermetova, who seized her milestone tenth doubles title with this win, and Mertens, a former World No. 1, both have impressive career accolades, including multiple Grand Slam titles and significant WTA tournament victories.
The final moment turned poignant as Babos announced her decision not to continue her partnership with Stefani moving forward due to uncertainties regarding her future participation in the sport. The emotional farewell highlighted the journey they had shared over the season, reflecting the trials and triumphs that marked their collaboration.
For Kudermetova and Mertens, this title reinforces their status among the elite in women’s doubles tennis, adding to their accomplishments from earlier in the year, including a prestigious victory at Wimbledon. Their synergy on the court and competitive spirit signal that they are a force to be reckoned with in the seasons to come as they look forward to continuing their successful partnership.
