Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek Sands came back from one set down to beat Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 11-9 clinching their second doubles title at the Miami Open.
Kenin and Mattek Sands claimed their second title of the season following their triumph in Abu Dhabi last February. They have extended their win-loss record to 7-1 this season.
The US team are one of the two teams to have won multiple titles so far this year, along with Australian Open and Indian Wells champions Hsieh su-Wei and Elise Mertens.
Dabrowski and Routliffe broke Kenin in the first game and held on their service games en route to the one-set lead.
Kenin and Mattek Sands broke twice in the fourth and sixth games to race out to a 5-1 lead. Dabrowski and Routliffe pulled back on serve to draw level to 5-5 to force a tie-break. Kenin and Mattek Sands earned two mini-breaks to race out to a 5-0 lead. Dabrowski and Routliffe pulled one mini-break for 3-5. Kenin and Mattek Sands converted their fourth set point with a forehand winner from Mattek Sands. The US players earned three championship point at 9-6, but Dabrowski and Routliffe won three points to draw level to 9-9. Mattek Sands forced a wide error from Routliffe earning a fourth championship point at 10-9. The US team converted their chance after a missed volley by Routliffe.
“We have played many tournaments together. Bethanie has got amazing hands so it’s very easy to do my job at the back, and I am hoping that it’s easy from Bethanie’s side, to be at the net covering when I am at the baseline”, said Kenin.
