Melbourne, Jan 29 (NationPress) The fourth-seeded duo of Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai have secured their spot in the finals after a commanding straight-sets triumph, while the seventh-seeded team of Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic triumphed in a thrilling three-set showdown to reach their second Grand Slam final together.

Mertens and Zhang easily dispatched Ena Shibahara and Vera Zvonareva with a score of 6-3, 6-2, completing the match in under 90 minutes on the iconic Margaret Court Arena. This victory marks their second appearance in a major final following their run at Wimbledon in 2022.

“It was a really great performance. I think we’re functioning well as a team. Our communication was on point, and I felt like everything just clicked today. It’s been a fantastic tournament thus far, and tomorrow we’ll either take a day off or practice before heading into the finals,” Mertens expressed after the match.

The semifinal was smooth sailing for Mertens and Zhang, who had narrowly avoided elimination earlier by saving three match points against Jovic and Mboko in the second round and rallied back from a set down in the quarterfinals.

“We were really fighting to stay in the tournament at that moment, and now we find ourselves in the final. Anything is possible when you keep pushing,” Mertens reflected.

Against Shibahara and Zvonareva, the fourth seeds seized control right from the start. After splitting the first two games, Mertens and Zhang won four consecutive games to take a 5-1 lead. Though they briefly faltered and lost a break, they swiftly closed out the set. The second set mirrored this pattern: a strong opening, a late break while serving for the match, followed by a quick response to clinch victory. Zhang played a crucial role at the end, setting up and converting their third match point.

“This is our second time competing together in a Grand Slam and (now) our second final. Oh my God, we should continue playing (together) forever,” Zhang exclaimed during her on-court interview.

Earlier on Rod Laver Arena, Danilina and Krunic advanced to the final after a grueling 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4 victory over Dabrowski and Stefani, a match that lasted nearly two and a half hours. They previously upset the top seeds and defending champions Siniakova and Townsend in the quarterfinals.

“I feel like this match had everything. There were so many ups and downs. Luisa and Gaby played exceptionally well. It’s always a challenge to face them, and it was definitely emotional. We focused on holding our ground, especially after falling behind in the third set, and thankfully it worked in our favor,” Krunic said during her interview.

Danilina and Krunic initially led 5-2, but Dabrowski and Stefani staged a comeback. The seventh seeds clinched the tiebreak. In the second set, the Canadian-Brazilian duo broke late to level the match.

The tension escalated in the deciding set. Dabrowski and Stefani took a 2-0 lead, but a rain delay and roof closure shifted the momentum. Danilina and Krunic fought back to 3-3, then broke again, edging closer to victory. However, they were broken while serving for match point. Undeterred, the seventh seeds responded with a break to love, sealing the match with an incredible rally on match point.

“They had me guessing from the very first point. I focused on my own game; what I needed to do, what was coming from my racket, but they’re a very dynamic team. They excel at the net and understand doubles play. Today was quite a different match for us, and I’m thrilled that we ultimately found that extra energy to make it to Saturday’s final,” Krunic added.

With both teams having previously experienced heartbreak in major finals, Saturday’s clash promises an exhilarating contest for the women’s doubles title in Melbourne.