In a stunning display of resilience, Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic pulled off an extraordinary comeback, turning a 6-0, 5-2 deficit into a thrilling victory at the Doha tournament. But here's where it gets controversial—this wasn't just any comeback; it was a fight against their own championship curse! The duo had lost five out of six previous finals, often finding themselves on the losing end of the trophy ceremony.
The match started with a dominant performance from Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko, who swiftly took the first set 6-0 in just 23 minutes. But Danilina and Krunic refused to back down. They broke their opponents' serve in the second set, only to find themselves trailing again at 5-2. And this is the part most people miss—the turning point. With their backs against the wall, they saved a championship point and went on a remarkable run, forcing a tiebreak and eventually taking the set 7-6 (3).
The third set became a battle of wills. Danilina and Krunic surged ahead 8-3, but the resilient Hsieh and Ostapenko fought back to 8-7. In a dramatic finish, the fourth seeds held their nerve, converting their second match point to seal the deal. This victory marked their first WTA 1000 title as a team and their second overall, breaking a pattern of near-misses.
"It feels like breaking the curse," Krunic exclaimed, relieved to finally overcome their finals jinx. This win holds extra significance as it comes after a string of close calls, including three match tiebreaks earlier in the tournament. The pair's perseverance paid off, proving they have what it takes to be champions.
Both players have impressive doubles careers, with Danilina boasting 12 WTA doubles titles, including the 2023 US Open mixed doubles crown, and Krunic claiming her 9th WTA doubles title, adding to her singles triumph. The win propels them to new career-high rankings, with Krunic rising to World No. 11 and Danilina climbing to No. 7. Meanwhile, Hsieh and Ostapenko's runner-up finish boosts them back into the Top 10.
So, was it truly a curse, or just a series of unfortunate events? Did Danilina and Krunic's mental fortitude make the difference, or did their opponents simply crack under pressure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
