Hourigan, Townsend fall short
New Zealand’s Paige Hourigan and Taylor Townsend lost in the doubles final of the ASB Classic yesterday, going down 1-6 6-1 10-7 to Eugenie Bouchard and Sofia Kenin.
Hourigan was attempting to be the first New Zealand woman to win a title at the Classic since Julie Richardson, who won the doubles in Auckland with AnnaMaria Fernandez, from the United States in 1987.
However, despite an incredible start from the two young players, who needed a wildcard to make the draw, they were unable to keep their momentum going and fell just short.
Hourigan has never played in a WTA tournament outside the Classic, so it was incredible for her to get this far.
Townsend had never won the doubles at a WTA tournament at the Classic’s level and her only appearance in a final was in Washington DC, coincidentally, with Bouchard as her partner.
It was an unbelievable start from Hourigan and Townsend, winning the first set in 18 minutes.
Bouchard showed some of her erratic tendencies that were in evidence during her singles matches in Auckland, while Kenin didn’t really get going.
Townsend was superb at the net and Hourigan was aggressive with her ground strokes.
However, the match was far from over and Townsend and Hourigan were broken in the first and third games of the next set.
The scoreline ended up being the same as the first set, but in favour of the other team, so the final went to a super tiebreak.
Bouchard and Kenin got a mini break early, but Kenin conceded it at 4-3 with a double fault, then the next point went the way of the Kiwi/US team.
But Hourigan then double faulted to give back the lead and at the second change of ends the score was 6-6.
However, Kenin and Bouchard then went up 9-7 for two championship points and after a crosscourt exchange Townsend hit a backhand into the net.
❏ Meanwhile, defending champion Roberta Bautista Agut, of Spain, has joined fellow Doha finalist Tomas Berdych in withdrawing from the Auckland ATP Tour event which starts today.
Bautista Agut was to be the fifth seed at the Auckland tournament, the ASB Classic, but pulled out after reaching the Doha final in which he beat Berdych 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
American Steve Johnson will take Bautista Agut’s place in the main draw while New Zealander Rubin Statham replaces Berdych.