TENNIS / BMW MALAYSIAN OPEN: Janette, Zhang Shuai in final

03 March 2013

JANETTE Husarova of Slovakia and China's Zhang Shuai justified their seeding by reaching the doubles final in the WTA BMW Malaysian Open final at Royal Selangor Golf Club yesterday.

The top seeds had to dig deep before edging Thailand's Luksika Khumkhum and Japan's Erik Sema 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 in the semi-finals.

"We came into the match, expecting it to be tough and that is what we got," said Janette, who at 39 is 15 years older than her partner.

"The first set was very close. We had many chances but could not take them but that is just how it is sometimes in tennis.

"We remained calm as we still believed we could win the match and fortunately it turned out well for us."

In their only third tournament together after Doha and Dubai last month, they will face Japan's Shuko Aoyama and Taiwan's Chang Kai Chen in the final today.

Aoyama and Kai Chen had no problems overcoming the Pliskova twins, Karolina and Kristyna 6-2, 6-1 on Friday. Kai-Chen had won the title here last year with compatriot Chuang Chia Jung.

"I think we are playing well and it is nice (playing) with her (Zhang Shuai). She has a lot of young energy.

"We have seen them (Aoyama and Kai-Chen) and they are playing some great doubles at the moment and have beaten several good pairs.

"For us things remain the same. Our goal tomorrow (today) is to achieve our goal of winning the tournament," Janette added.

Aoyama-Kai Chen, the second seeds, will be hoping to clinch their second title after last year's triumph in Washington.

Kai Chen said: "I have never lost a final on the tour. I hope to extend my streak but do not want to put pressure on myself by thinking about that. We need to play our best tennis to win."

nst.com.my