In a thrilling semifinal match at the US Open on Wednesday, China’s Zhang Shuai and France’s Kristina Mladenovic secured their place in the women’s doubles final after defeating the duo of American Taylor Townsend and Czech Katerina Siniakova with a scoreline of 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
Zhang and Mladenovic started the match with confidence, showcasing strong synergy on the court. Zhang, bouncing back after an early exit from the singles competition, demonstrated exceptional form in the doubles arena.
The pairing of Townsend and Siniakova posed a significant challenge. Siniakova, who previously claimed the French Open title alongside Coco Gauff and won Wimbledon with Townsend, brought considerable experience to the match. Despite their formidable record, Zhang and Mladenovic managed to clinch the closely contested first set 7-5.
Refusing to back down, Townsend and Siniakova fought back fiercely in the second set. They surged ahead to a 4-0 lead, eventually taking the set 6-4 to level the match.
In the decisive third set, Zhang and Mladenovic regained their composure. They capitalized on key opportunities and displayed resilience under pressure, ultimately securing the set 6-3 and sealing their victory.
The duo will now prepare to face Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok in the final on Friday, aiming to capture the prestigious Grand Slam title.
Reference(s):
Tennis: Zhang/Mladenovic reach U.S. Open women's doubles final
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