MELBOURNE, Australia — Taylor Townsend marked a memorable return to the court where her professional career initially blossomed, partnering with Katerina Siniakova to clinch the women’s doubles title at the Australian Open. The American duo triumphed over Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko, sealing the match with scores of 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3.
“This victory holds great significance for me,” Townsend expressed. She reminisced about her youthful days when she last played on this same court, recalling her junior win in 2012 at the tender age of 15. “It was the launching pad for my career,” she added. Townsend emphasized the importance of this tournament in fulfilling her lifelong aspirations.
The top-seeded pair, comprised of Townsend and Siniakova from the Czech Republic, began the match strongly, racing to a 6-2, 5-3 lead and even had the chance to serve for the match at 5-4 in the second set. However, the third-seeded duo, Hsieh and Ostapenko, mounted a comeback, forcing a tie-break to take the second set while managing an early break in the third.
Throughout the match, Townsend and Siniakova displayed their strong teamwork, particularly in critical moments. This match marked their third Grand Slam as a team, following their Wimbledon victory the previous year and a semifinal finish at the US Open.
The pair strategically capitalized on weaknesses in Hsieh’s serve, achieving four breaks during the match, including a pivotal break in the closing stages of the final set. Siniakova eventually served out the match, with Townsend finishing strong at the net.
The final was played amidst warm weather conditions coinciding with Australia Day, with temperatures around 22°C (71.6°F) in the afternoon. The court’s warmth caused the ball to travel quickly, benefiting the left-handed Townsend’s play.
Siniakova and Townsend quickly established dominance, leading 5-1 within a mere 30 minutes. Although Hsieh delivered her finest game at 5-2, Siniakova maintained her composure and closed out the opening set in just 37 minutes.
Regardless of the match outcome, Siniakova would maintain her position at the top of the WTA doubles rankings for 136 weeks—this impressive streak ranks fifth all-time. She has consistently reached the semifinals or better in her last five Grand Slam appearances.
The second set mirrored the first, with both Townsend and Ostapenko holding their serves initially. Hsieh faltered at 2-1, allowing Townsend an opportunity to assert herself. As the intensity heightened, Ostapenko and Hsieh showcased their determination, breaking Townsend to tie the score at 3-3.
After breaking Hsieh once again, Townsend had the opportunity to serve for the match at 5-4, but the seasoned pair battled back to even things again. Hsieh managed to secure a vital hold, occasionally starting her rallies from the back of the court instead of the net.
The tension escalated as Siniakova, after holding serve, sent the set into a tie-break where the third seeds capitalized on crucial points, leveling the match after winning the tie-break with scores of 7-6.
In the final set, the momentum shifted dramatically as the third seeds claimed an early break against Siniakova. Nevertheless, Townsend and Siniakova quickly retaliated, breaking Ostapenko to restore parity at 1-1. Eventually, they broke Hsieh once more in the ninth game, allowing Siniakova to solidify their victory without a hitch.
