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Routliffe, Dabrowski a win from WTA title

Updated: Nov 9

Second seeds Erin Routliffe (New Zealand) and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski are into their sixth final of 2024 in what has been a stellar year again.
Kiwi Erin Routliffe (right) and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski high five their way to the WTA Finals title match. PHOTO: WTA

Second seeded Kiwi Erin Routliffe and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski are into their sixth final of 2024 in what has been a stellar year again.


The won 7-6(7) 6-1 over sixth seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez (United States) and Australian Ellen Perez at the WTA Finals Riyadh in 1 hour and 32 minutes


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The result was a reverse of the teams' only previous meeting at the same stage of the 2023 WTA Finals Cancun, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won 6-1, 6-7(1), [10-6].


Twelve months on, Dabrowski and Routliffe came from an early break down and saved one set point in the first set to reach their first final at the year-end championships.


An edgy start to the contest saw four breaks of serve -- one for each player on court -- in the first five games, with Perez coughing up three double faults in her opening service game.


Both teams steadied themselves in the latter half, and a series of excellent volleys by Perez saw the American-Australian duo take a 5-3 lead in the tiebreak.


But the 29-year-old Routliffe retrieved the mini-break with a strong return, and her team fended off one set point as Melichar-Martinez sent a backhand wide. Routliffe sealed her second set point with a terrific reflexed forehand winner.


From there, the Canadian-New Zealander pair motored through the second set, breaking Melichar-Martinez twice as they began unleashing on return.


Routliffe agreed, and underlined the importance of mutual support in the doubles game at any level.


"We always try to bring the best out of each other," she said. "We always try to smile and have fun, even when it's not going out way. It's so important in doubles. If anyone's playing doubles, make sure you support your partners!"


Routliffe and Dabrowski will face Taylor Townsend from the United States and the Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova for the title.

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