Top seeds Barbora Strycova and Hsieh Su-Wei booked a ticket into their maiden Australian Open women’s doubles final with a first-class display on Margaret Court Arena.
The reigning Wimbledon champions, who started 2020 holding the Brisbane International title, breezed past No.4 seeded Czech duo Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova 6-2 6-3 on Wednesday.
Strycova and Hsieh will contend to lift the trophy up against the 2018 champions Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos.
MORE: AO2020 women's doubles draw
An enthralling 12-minute game saw Strycova and Hsieh finally convert a sixth break point to surge 2-0 in front, as their variety and versatility was drawing the errors from across the net.
Hsieh’s mastery of the lob helped clinch another early break in the second set as the leading pair proved their superiority.
“I tried to not get into the Czech fight,” joked Hsieh after some tense exchanges in the match, before her partner Strycova summed up their sentiment.
“I’m very happy that we are through to the final. It means so much to me and especially to do it with a partner like Su-Wei by my side makes it extra special that we are in another Grand Slam final.
“Also, it’s extra special we are in Australia, it’s my favourite country, I really like to play well here. I’m enjoying myself and so is Hsieh too.”
2018 champions Mladenovic and Babos navigated past sisters Latisha and Hao-Ching Chan 7-5 6-2 to pitch the top two seeds against each other in a formidable final.
“Yeah they made us work hard,” claimed Mladenovic, returning to the final in Melbourne after missing out with Babos last January.
“We had some very long games, but it’s a semifinal of a Grand Slam, they deserved to be here, they are such a tough team to face as they are siblings, so they know each other so well.
“We are not siblings, but it feels like it. I’m playing with my best friend and I’m super happy we are into our third consecutive final here together in Melbourne. We love it!
“We had the privilege to hold that beautiful trophy two years ago and we will try our best to recreate that story. I think the most important thing is to be focused on ourselves to play our best.”
Over to the mixed doubles event and reigning two-time US Open champions Jamie Murray and Bethanie Mattek-Sands have advanced to the semifinals.
They fell at the quarterfinal stage last season at Melbourne Park, but demonstrated their prowess at the net to overcome Saisai Zheng alongside Joran Vliegen 6-3 6-4 earlier on Wednesday.
“I think we did a good job,” said Murray.
“Mixed you never know what is going to happen, it can be very up and down with lots of changes of momentum.
“We did well to take that first set. I got in a bit of bother serving it out but Beth played a great half volley to set me up to play the winning shot. We’re happy to be into the semifinals and it’s always fun to get on the court with Beth.”
MORE: AO2020 mixed doubles draw
Murray and Mattek-Sands will meet either an Australian duo or Polish partnership in the final four.
2019 finalists Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith will be flying the flag for the green and gold later on Rod Laver Arena, facing the teenage talent of Iga Swiatek playing with Lukasz Kubot.