Dabrowski, Routliffe Win Key Match at WTA Finals

Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe could not have envisioned a better start to the WTA Finals. 

After defeating the duo of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in their first match, the Canadian and her New Zealand partner cruised to a second victory against German Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva.

They won the match in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. The two duos previously played against each other in the finals of women’s doubles draw at the US Open.

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The first set began with both duos holding their serves and then winning break points to keep it even 2-2. A similar pattern continued through the next three games, but Dabrowski and Routliffe’s key break of serve in the sixth game was enough to seal the first set. 

Neither of the duo’s first serve points in the first set was particularly dominant but they responded well by winning 70 per cent of their second serve points. 

Dabrowski and Routliffe found a solid rhythm in their serves in the second set, holding each one en route to a 6-2 victory to win the match. They won 72 per cent of their first serve points, a 17 per cent improvement from the first set, but struggled slightly more in second serve points. 

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The second set began similarly to the first, with both duos holding their serves, but Dabrowski and Routliffe created some early separation when they scored a break point in the third game. Siegemund and Zvonareva were unable to convert a break point in return, falling further behind. Dabrowski and Routliffe went on to score yet another break in the penultimate game and held their serve in the finale to propel them to their second win of the tournament. 

With this victory, Dabrowski and Routliffe find themselves in first place in their group. They’ll play again tomorrow against Czechs Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova in the final match of the group stage.