Kiwi doubles ace Erin Routliffe has survived a tough examination to book a spot in the US Open quarterfinals, as she and Canadian partner Gaby Dabrowski try to defend the crown they won 12 months ago at New York.
Routliffe, 29, recently elevated to the world No.1 doubles ranking, is chasing her third WTA title of the year, but was stretched to the limit to beat Romanian Jaqueline Cristian and Italian Angelica Moratelli 7-5 7-6(3) in the third round.
The champions served six double faults and made 22 unforced errors, needing 2h 22m in a rain-interrupted match to progress to the final eight.
The reigning champions are into the women's doubles quarterfinals. (Source: TVNZ)
Both teams broke service early in the opening set, before Routliffe and Dabrowski conspired to break Moratelli at 5-5, with the Kiwi serving out the set.
Play was delayed an hour for weather during the second set. After a service break each, they contested a tiebreak, with Routliffe/Dabrowski taking a mini break off the first point and never looking back.
Routliffe provided the flourish with an ace for victory.
They now face the winners between 10th seeds Hao-Ching Chan/Veronika Kudermetova and Harriet Dart/Diane Parry at the next stage.
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