Kiwi Erin Routliffe and doubles partner Gabriela Dabrowski have reached the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with one more match to play in the group stage.
The pair saved a match point to defeat the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini 1-6 7-6(1) 11-9 in their round robin match.
Even if they lose their final group match on Thursday, the pair will still finish in the top two of their group and advance to the semifinals.
The WTA Finals stage features only the top eight teams in women’s doubles and includes a round-robin format.
The eight teams are split into two pools with the top two advancing.
Errani and Paolini won the first 14 points of the opening set and took it comfortably 6-1.
A break of serve late in the second set put Errani in a position to serve for the match at 6-5, but Routliffe and Dabrowski managed to get the break back.
After losing the first point in the tiebreak, Routliffe and Dabrowski won the next seven, to send the match to a third set super tiebreak.
In the super tiebreak, Routliffe had to save a match point on her serve to keep them in the contest.
The super tiebreak finally ended 11-9, after Errani couldn’t deal with a deep return by Dabrowski.
"That was a really, really fighting match," said Routliffe afterwards. "I'm glad we put on a show for you guys, but I hope the next match won't be as exciting."
Dabrowski said it was pleasing that they were able to fight back after a tough start.
"It was such a challenge to try to raise our level," Dabrowski said.
"To try to play against a team that plays a little bit differently than others, with Errani serve-and-volleying and stuff like that.
“It’s kind of things that we do, but don't necessarily play against a lot. Pretty proud of us for the adjustments we made."
Their final group stage match is against Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk on Thursday.
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