India's Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok's doubles run was brought to an end in the semifinal of the Adelaide International 1 by Australian pair of Ashleigh Barty and Storm Sanders. With the thrilling contest lasting for 65 minutes, the pair from Down Under managed to hold their nerves as they swapped Mirza and Kichenok 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 to punch their tickets for the summit clash.
The Indo-Ukrainian pair didn't have the greatest of starts as they managed to win only 38 per cent of their first-serve points. Barty's serve was a real headache for the pair as she managed to make use of the flight offered by the wind. The Australian pair's supremacy was underlined as they only faced one breakpoint, which they eventually managed to save.
An error-prone first set saw both Mirza and Kichenok give away six break-point opportunities, of which two were converted by the Australians to picket the first set 6-1.
Mirza and Kichenok make storming comeback
Like their quarter-final encounter, it was Mirza and Kichenok who went on to make a morale-boosting comeback as they gave no chance for their opposition. Despite winning 80 per cent of their first serves, the Australian pair was broken twice as they lost hold of the set. Concerns though were still lingering for the Indo-Ukrainian pair as they faced five breakpoints but managed to save them all. With good net shoots and court awareness, the pair managed to take the match in deciding set as they won the second set 6-2.
Barty and Sanders gain momentum
Just when Mirza and Kichenok started gaining some confidence it was the Australian pair who managed to break the momentum. With two aces and 89 percent of first-serve points won, Barty and Sanders went into the driving seat as they controlled the match. Mirza and Kichenok responded with their own but ultimately felt short of the pair as the Australians Barty and Sanders won the deciding set 10-8 to advance to the finals.
It could be a double crown for the Aussie, Barty, as she will also eye to win the singles competition as well. In the semifinals of the singles competition, she will face the winner between former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka and defending champion Iga Swiatek.
While in the doubles final she along with Sanders will face the winners of Azrenka/Paula Badosa and Jurak Schreiber/Andreja Klepac. With almost a week remaining for the Australian Open, players are gearing up nicely in Adelaide as the first major of the year beings on January 17 in Melbourne.
