Taiwan’s Chan Hao-ching and Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova were knocked out of the 2023 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after a tight semifinal match against Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend. Despite showing incredible resilience in the second set, the Taiwan-Russia duo ultimately fell short, losing 6-0, 7-6 (5) in a thrilling contest that saw plenty of opportunities slip away.
A Strong Start from Siniakova and Townsend
The semifinal match started with Siniakova and Townsend, who were seeded eighth at the WTA Finals, dominating the first set with a near-perfect 6-0 scoreline. Their aggressive play seemed to have the Taiwan-Russia pairing on the back foot, and it appeared they were heading towards an easy victory.
However, Chan and Kudermetova, seeded seventh, refused to go down without a fight. The second set proved to be much more competitive, and the match turned into a nail-biting contest. After trailing 6-0, 4-2, the duo mounted an incredible comeback, winning the next three games and leveling the score at 4-4. Chan even had the chance to serve out the set at 5-4, with the opportunity to push the match to a super tiebreaker.
Missed Opportunities and a Close Tiebreaker
As momentum shifted in favor of Chan and Kudermetova, Siniakova and Townsend broke Chan’s serve in the critical 5-4 game, and then managed to hold serve, pushing the score to 6-5. With two match points on Kudermetova’s serve, Chan and Kudermetova were able to save both, keeping their hopes alive.
The match entered a tiebreaker, and despite Siniakova and Townsend racing to a commanding 6-1 lead, Chan and Kudermetova continued to fight back. They saved an impressive four match points, pulling the score to 6-5, before ultimately succumbing to a brilliant crosscourt passing shot by Siniakova, which sealed their fate and ended the match after 90 intense minutes.
Townsend Reflects on the Tough Match
After the match, Taylor Townsend acknowledged the difficulty of facing an opponent who had rallied so strongly after a dominant first set. “When you win a 6-0 set, it’s never easy,” said Townsend. “We were playing so well and sometimes it’s easy to have expectations to continue that, but your opponents adjust, and we saw how that ended up.”
A Strong Performance Despite the Loss
While the result was a bitter disappointment for Chan and Kudermetova, it was an impressive achievement for Chan, who had not made it this far at the WTA Finals since 2015. That year, she reached the semifinals alongside her sister Latisha Chan in their WTA Finals debut. Despite not reaching the final this year, Chan’s strong performance marks a significant milestone in her career.
This year’s WTA Finals, held in Riyadh, features the top eight doubles teams in the world, competing for the coveted year-end championship. The competition continues to showcase the highest level of tennis and has become a key event for both singles and doubles players worldwide.
Hsieh Su-wei’s Early Exit from WTA Finals
Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei, another top tennis player, was also competing in the WTA Finals, but unfortunately, her team with Elise Mertens of Belgium did not make it past the qualifying round. Despite showing potential, the pair ended their campaign with a 1-2 record in their three Group Green matches.
Key Stats of the Semifinal Match
| Category | Chan & Kudermetova | Siniakova & Townsend |
|---|---|---|
| Match Result | 6-0, 7-6 (5) Loss | 6-0, 7-6 (5) Win |
| Seedings | 7th | 8th |
| Set Scores | 0-6, 6-7 (5) Loss | 6-0, 7-6 (5) Win |
| Total Match Duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Match Points Saved by Chan & Kudermetova | 4 | 0 |
| Match Point at 6-5 | 2 saved by Kudermetova | 1 final match point |
FAQs: Chan Hao-ching and Kudermetova’s Performance at WTA Finals
1. What was the result of Chan Hao-ching and Kudermetova’s semifinal match?
They lost 6-0, 7-6 (5) to Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend in a tight semifinal match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
2. What was the key turning point in the match?
The key turning point came when Chan and Kudermetova rallied from 6-0, 4-2 down to level the second set at 4-4. They had a chance to force a super tiebreaker at 5-4 but were unable to capitalize.
3. How many match points did Chan and Kudermetova save?
Chan and Kudermetova saved a total of 4 match points in the second set tiebreaker before losing on the fifth match point.
4. What was Chan Hao-ching’s best performance at the WTA Finals?
This marks Chan’s best showing at the WTA Finals since 2015, when she reached the semifinals with her sister Latisha Chan.
5. Did Taiwan have other players in the WTA Finals?
Yes, Hsieh Su-wei also competed in the WTA Finals but was eliminated in the qualifying round with a 1-2 record in their Group Green matches.
