China's Peng Shuai reaches the Australian Open's women's doubles final with Andrea Hlavackova following an upset win against Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic. (Photo : Getty Images)
Peng Shuai stands as China's only hope to win a medal from this year's Australian Open. Her successful partnership with Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic brought down French duo Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic in an upsetting but dominant 7-6(4), 6-2 victory to reach the women's doubles final.
Garcia and Mladenovic, the tournament's top seed for women's doubles, succumbed to Peng's impressive return to form after taking almost a year to recuperate from her back surgery. The Chinese ace remarkably stressed her desire to "enjoy tennis" following her recovery.
The upset against the French favorites now entails a faceoff with Bethanie Mattek-Sands (U.S.) and Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic) in tomorrow's final. Mattek-Sands and Safarova dispatched Japanese pair Eri Hozumi and Miyu Kato 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 during the semifinals.
"I think it's really amazing for me, to come back after the injury, because it's really a fight for me last year, I really thank my partner and my team," said Peng on the courtside after her match with Hlavackova in an interview with Xinhua.
Hlavackova also expressed her elation over their crucial semi-final win. "I think it's quite amazing, we are in the final of Grand Slam. It's gonna be a great match, I can't wait to face our next opponent. It's gonna be fun, everyone should come and watch us."
Peng's role as a partner also drew further praise from Hlavackova herself, saying that the two of them know each other well. "She plays for me, I play for her, we just play together," said the Czech about her partner.
Peng and Hlavackova open this season with a women's doubles title from the Shenzhen Open, a clear indicator of the quality of their partnership.
They are now seeking to replicate that victory in the Australian Open, which hands out one of the major Grand Slam titles.
