The WTA Finals 2024, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has given tennis fans some nail-biting moments and intense matches. One of the most notable stories is the journey of the doubles team Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez – two players who have overcome numerous challenges to make it to the semifinals, leaving a remarkable impression on the tournament.
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Sitting in the players’ lounge on Wednesday afternoon, Melichar-Martinez and Perez had a relaxed, lighthearted conversation about their journey in doubles tennis. Together, they defeated the top seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko with an impressive 6-1, 6-3 victory in the final group match. Despite this, they still had to wait for the results of another final group match to find out if they had qualified for the semifinals.
Perez calmly shared, “We did the best we could. If our best isn’t enough, that’s okay too.” Melichar-Martinez agreed, emphasizing that even if the season ended here, they would still be proud of the victory they had achieved – a sentiment that not many players get to experience.
Tense Tiebreaks: Decisive Moments in the Doubles Matches
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The excitement of the tournament comes not only from powerful shots but also from the tense tiebreaks that keep the audience on edge. One of the most notable matches saw the 8th seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend reach a nail-biting tiebreak, narrowly winning 10-8 to defeat the 3rd seeds Hsieh Su-Wei and Elise Mertens. This victory indirectly opened the door to the semifinals for Melichar-Martinez and Perez – who had previously lost in the final at Cancun last year.
Finally, when Chan Hao-Ching and Veronika Kudermetova defeated Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in another tiebreak, the semifinals roster was confirmed. The pair Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe will face Melichar-Martinez and Perez, while Chan and Kudermetova will take on Siniakova and Townsend in the other semifinal match.
Melichar-Martinez and Perez: A Tough Journey and Relentless Determination
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Nicole Melichar-Martinez, a 31-year-old American player, is coached by her husband, Carlos. She has qualified for the WTA Finals four times with three different partners and has twice been an alternate. The most memorable part of Melichar-Martinez’s journey was her appearances in Singapore and Riyadh, where she felt the professional atmosphere and prestige of the tournament.
Melichar-Martinez shared, “Although, the prize money here is the best.” Indeed, this year’s WTA Finals set a new record with a total prize fund of $15.25 million USD. Reaching the semifinals alone brought each doubles team $255,000 USD, and a win in the final could bring the total to $1.055 million USD – a tempting figure.
Melichar-Martinez added that her goal in playing at the WTA Finals is not just the title but also financial stability to handle personal needs. She revealed, “I need a new roof after storm damage.” This makes her efforts even more admirable.
Stories of Other Notable Players at the WTA Finals
It’s not only Melichar-Martinez and Perez; this year’s tournament also welcomed other prominent names with inspiring stories. Elise Mertens, who qualified for her sixth WTA Finals, is one such example. Mertens has qualified for the WTA Finals with five different partners in her career, including Demi Schuurs, Veronika Kudermetova, Storm Hunter, Aryna Sabalenka, and Hsieh Su-Wei. Three years ago, Mertens and Hsieh reached the finals in Guadalajara, and now they are reunited in Riyadh.
At 37, Sara Errani has also had a remarkable comeback this season, winning a doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics with Paolini, as well as claiming titles in Rome, Beijing, and Linz. After a decade-long absence, Errani has returned to the WTA Finals in impressive form.
The tensest match so far was likely the showdown between Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe against the Italian team. They saved a decisive point, regained three final points, and secured victory with a narrow score of 1-6, 7-6(1), [11-9].
Hopes and Expectations Ahead of the Semifinals
The WTA Finals in Riyadh is entering an exciting phase as the doubles semifinals are about to take place. The thrilling moments, impressive shots, and the determination of each player have made this an exciting and emotional tournament. Can Melichar-Martinez and Perez continue their success story? Or will Dabrowski and Routliffe maintain their top form? All will be answered in the matches to come.
Let’s look forward to and follow the promising doubles semifinals at the WTA Finals 2024 – where the world’s top players will give their all to claim this prestigious title.
