Cara Black and Anastasia Rodionova handled Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday.
Cara Black and Anastasia Rodionova have been in prime form so far at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the latest evidence being a routine defeat of Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur in quarterfinal action on Thursday.
Raymond and Stosur have paired up for 20 titles, including two Grand Slams and two WTA Championships, but joined forces just once in 2011, once in 2012 and so far twice this year. Black and Rodionova kicked off their 2013 season with their first WTA title in Auckland, but had not advanced deep into a draw since.
On this day, Black and Rodionova had little trouble in recording a 61 63 win. Black is now 20-3 at this event, having been victorious in 2007, 2008 and 2009 alongside Liezel Huber. Raymond was defending champion with Huber.
“We just had a game plan and we’re really happy with the way we executed it,” Black said. “I think we played really well. We didn’t give them much of a chance to get into the match. We’re very happy with how we started out on top and stayed on top.”
Friday’s other semifinal will see second-seeded Nadia Petrova and Katarina Srebotnik square off with fourth-seeded Nuria Llagostera Vives and Zheng Jie.
“We’re having fun,” Petrova said. “I find doubles so much more enjoyable than singles. You have another person to talk to, discuss tactics with and laugh with. I really enjoy playing with Katarina. She is a great person, always positive and always has a smile on her face.”
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