Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Taiwanese tennis star Chan Hao-ching (詹皓晴) and her Russian partner Veronika Kudermetova have advanced to the 2024 WTA Finals women’s doubles semifinals, following a thrilling 3-6, 7-6 (3), 11-9 victory over Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy on Thursday. This match marked a significant milestone for the Taiwan-Russia duo, as they saved two match points in the second set and fought off a tough opponent to clinch second place in Group White.
Chan, 31, has reached her best WTA Finals performance since 2015, when she made her semifinals debut alongside her sister Latisha Chan (詹詠然). The win also secured their advancement to the final four of the prestigious year-end event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which brings together the top singles players and doubles teams from around the world.
Thrilling Comeback: Chan and Kudermetova Overcome Odds
The match was a rollercoaster, with Chan and Kudermetova having to battle through significant adversity. After dropping the first set 3-6, the pair faced two match points against them at 5-4 in the second set, on Paolini’s serve. With nerves of steel, they saved both points, eventually forcing a tiebreaker.
In the super tiebreaker, Chan and Kudermetova initially struggled to convert their lead, missing three match points while up 9-6. However, the pair responded with successive volley winners, sealing the match 11-9 and securing their spot in the semifinals.
Journey to the Semifinals: A Challenging Path
The road to the semifinals was not without challenges. After a defeat to the second-seeded duo of Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) and Erin Routliffe (New Zealand), who won all their group matches, Chan and Kudermetova were at risk of elimination. However, they bounced back with a crucial win over the U.S. pair Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk in a nail-biting super tiebreaker on Tuesday.
The victory over Errani and Paolini capped off an impressive comeback for the Taiwan-Russia duo, highlighting their resilience and determination in high-pressure situations.
Next Challenge: Facing Siniakova and Townsend
Chan and Kudermetova will now face Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) and Taylor Townsend (USA), who topped Group Green, in a semifinal showdown. The winners of this match will advance to the final, with a chance to secure the year-end championship in women’s doubles.
The 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh has been an exciting showcase of top-tier tennis, featuring the world’s best players competing for the coveted title. With both Chan and Kudermetova’s strong performance and their upcoming semifinal match, the WTA Finals have proven to be an intense and unpredictable tournament.
Hsieh Su-wei’s Campaign Comes to an End
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei (謝淑薇), who was partnered with Belgium’s Elise Mertens in Group Green, did not make it out of the round-robin stage. Despite a strong showing, Hsieh and Mertens were eliminated with a 1-2 record, marking the first time Hsieh failed to reach the WTA Finals semifinals.
At almost 39 years old, Hsieh’s impressive career includes a WTA Finals title in 2013 when she played alongside Peng Shuai of China. However, this year’s early exit marked a bittersweet conclusion to her participation in the prestigious tournament.
Table: WTA Finals Women’s Doubles Group Standings
| Group | Top Teams | Semifinalists |
|---|---|---|
| Group White | Chan Hao-ching & Veronika Kudermetova (Taiwan/Russia) | Chan & Kudermetova (Advanced) |
| Group Green | Katerina Siniakova & Taylor Townsend (Czech/USA) | Siniakova & Townsend (Top Group) |
| Group White | Sara Errani & Jasmine Paolini (Italy) | Eliminated |
| Group Green | Hsieh Su-wei & Elise Mertens (Taiwan/Belgium) | Eliminated |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who are the current doubles semifinalists at the WTA Finals?
The women’s doubles semifinalists at the 2024 WTA Finals are Chan Hao-ching (Taiwan) and Veronika Kudermetova (Russia), who secured their spot by defeating Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in an exciting match.
2. What is the significance of Chan Hao-ching’s performance at the WTA Finals?
This is Chan Hao-ching’s best performance at the WTA Finals since 2015 when she reached the semifinals with her sister Latisha Chan. This year marks another milestone in her successful career.
3. Who will Chan and Kudermetova face in the semifinals?
Chan and Kudermetova will face Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) and Taylor Townsend (USA) in the women’s doubles semifinals at the 2024 WTA Finals.
4. What happened to Hsieh Su-wei at the WTA Finals?
Hsieh Su-wei (Taiwan) was eliminated in the round-robin stage with a 1-2 record. This marks her first time failing to make the WTA Finals semifinals, a disappointing outcome for the veteran player.
5. Where is the 2024 WTA Finals being held?
The 2024 WTA Finals are taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
