By Erik Gudris/Sunday, October 27, 2013

 

Su-Wei Hsieh and Shuai Peng claimed their first ever WTA Championships doubles title after beating the
Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.

Photo Credit: WTA

Su-Wei Hsieh and Shuai Peng remained perfect in WTA doubles finals as they captured their first WTA Championships title in Istanbul.

Their opponents in Sunday's finals were the surprise all-Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, who upset top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci in the semis.

Hsieh and Peng jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. Their combined play allowed them to cruise ahead to 5-1. The Russians responded with inspired play, especially from Makarova up at net. The Russians pulled to within 5-4 and held a game point for 5-all.

But a well-timed poach from Hsieh when they held set point a few moments later sealed the opening set 6-4.

Hsieh and Peng again held a lead throughout the second set. With the Russians serving to force a tiebreak, Hsieh and Peng broke in the final game to seal the 6-4, 7-5 victory.

Istanbul marks the ninth title of the season for Hsieh and Peng, who remained unbeaten in nine finals this year. Prior to the WTA Championships, Hsieh and Peng's biggest title was winning Wimbledon earlier this summer.