The Hobart International 2017 doubles final is set – with third seeds Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Zhaoxuan Yang of China to take on Ukrainian Olga Savchuk and Romanian Raluca Olaru.
Dabrowski and Yang booked their finals berth with a 4-6 6-1 10-3 semifinal win over Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands and Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic on Centre Court this evening.
It was a rematch of a semifinal showdown in Auckland last week – this time the result was reversed.
“Last week we also lost the first set pretty closely, but I think the difference this week was that we buckled down and played it more solid,” Dabrowski said. “I also got a few more serves in the court, so I think it was just a matter of regrouping and refocusing a little bit stronger than we did last week.”
This is the pair’s fourth tournament together and after two semifinal losses and a runner-up finish they are targeting their first title.
“It would be great to win one,” Dabrowski said.
Earlier in the day Savchuk and Olaru qualified with a 6-4 6-2 semifinal victory over Mandy Minella of Luxembourg and Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia. The unseeded duo recorded the win in 73 minutes.
“It was really tough conditions with the wind, so we were just planning to take every point at a time and try to be more active and move our legs,” Olaru said. “We really took every ball, every point at a time and that really helped us. I think we played well.”
It is the second WTA final for Savchuk and Olaru in as many weeks, having made the final in Shenzhen in the first week of the season.
“It’s the best start you can wish for, so we’re looking forward to tomorrow,” Savchuk said.
Savchuk and Olaru have navigated a challenging draw to reach the final, including defeating Hobart International 2015 champions Johanna Larsson and Kiki Bertens in the opening round, the second seeds who were on a 16-match winning streak. They are aiming to win their second title together, and first since 2008.
The doubles final is at 12.30pm tomorrow.