Vera Zvonareva and Laura Siegemund became the first pair through to the Women’s Doubles final at the US Open, with the duo battling from a set down to beat rising talents Anna Blinkova and Veronika Kudermetova

It was a semifinal that had a notable Russian flavor, with Germany’s Siegemund the only non-Russian on court. It was also a surprise semifinal with Kudermetova and Blinkova unseeded, and Zvonareva and Siegemund using a protected ranking to enter the draw. Zvonareva and Siegemund lost the first set from a break up, but rallied to prevail 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 and reach the final.

Siegemund in singles action last week (Image: Al Bello)
Siegemund in singles action last week (Image: Al Bello)

The Russian duo missed early chances to break and were made to pair, with the experienced pairing of Zvonareva and Siegemund breaking and holding a 4-2 lead. However, Blinkova and Kudermetova broke back for 4-4, and broke again a few games later to seal the opening set.

A strong response was needed from Zvonareva and Siegemund and they got just that, breaking in the opening game. The Russian-German pair broke for a second time to lead 5-2 and though they could not serve it out, broke the Russians for a third time in the set to force a deciding set.

Four straight breaks started the decider before Zvonareva held serve to hand her and Siegemund a 3-2 lead. The pair missed a huge opportunity to take control of the contest in the next game, with three break point chances going begging, though held firm on serve and eventually broke to love at 6-5 to seal a hard-fought victory on the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Blinkova in action at the Top Seed Open (Image: Dylan Buell)
Blinkova in action at the Top Seed Open (Image: Dylan Buell)

Having previously retired and given birth, Zvonareva is in a fourth Women’s Doubles final at a major and is in an eighth Grand Slam final overall. The Russian will be hoping to regain the title she won alongside Nathalie Dechy 14 years ago, whilst Siegemund will be hoping for a second major title having won the Mixed Doubles at Flushing Meadows alongside Mate Pavic four years ago.

Siegemund and Zvonareva, who both lost in the opening round of the singles event, will face the winner of tomorrow’s semifinal between third seeds Nicole Melichar and Yifan Xu and unseeded American pairing Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend.

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