Australian hopes dashed at Miami Open | 1 April, 2023 | All News | News and Features | News and Events

The last two Australian contenders at the Miami Open have been eliminated.

Second seeds Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula knocked out Storm Hunter and Belgium’s Elise Mertens in a rain-delayed women’s doubles quarterfinal today.

The American combination, who resumed the match trailing 1-3 in the opening set, finished strongly to record a 6-7(4) 7-5 [10-2] victory.

World No.3 Gauff and world No.5 Pegula maintained that momentum when returning to the court shortly after for a semifinal showdown with Ellen Perez and her American partner Nicole Melichar-Martinez.

Gauff and Pegula did have to fight hard though before sealing their spot in the final with a 7-6(5) 7-6(4) triumph.

Perez and Melichar-Martinez had their chances, holding two set points on serve at 6-5 in the opening set and building a 5-3 advantage in the second set. But the second seeds proved why they are one of the world’s best teams, finding answers under pressure to regain control.

This ends career-best runs for both 28-year-old Hunter and 27-year-old Perez at the WTA 1000 tournament.

Aussies in action – Miami

TODAY’S RESULTS
Women’s doubles, quarterfinals
[2] Coco Gauff (USA)/Jessica Pegula (USA) d [6] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Elise Mertens (BEL) 6-7(4) 7-5 [10-2]

Women’s doubles, semifinals
[2] Coco Gauff (USA)/Jessica Pegula (USA) d [8] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) 7-6(5) 7-6(4)