Australians Birrell and Wolfe on dream doubles run

Australian duo Kimberly Birrell and Jarmila Wolfe are into the Hobart International 2016 doubles final
15 January 2016, by Hobart International Tennis

Australian duo Kimberly Birrell and Jarmila Wolfe have continued their dream run to book a spot in tomorrow’s doubles final.

This morning they upset top seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-4 7-5 on centre court. The pair, who were the last direct entrants into the draw, have not lost a set in their march into the decider.

“I’m super excited,” Birrell said. “I never thought coming into this week I would win a round of singles in the main draw and be in the final of doubles. If you had of said that, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

The 17-year-old Birrell, who is ranked No.626 in doubles, had not won a WTA doubles main draw match before this tournament. She was impressive in today’s semifinal, combining powerful ball striking with deft touch. Her inexperience did not show playing alongside the 2013 Australian Open mixed doubles champion against one of the most experienced team in women’s doubles.

Medina Garrigues is a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion and been ranked as high as No.3. She was the Hobart International doubles champion in 2008 and a finalist in 2005 and 2007. Parra Santonja is also a doubles veteran and was contesting her third Hobart International semifinal.

Birrell admitted although she was nervous, she felt comfortable on court.

“Having Jarka beside me definitely made it a little bit less nerve-wracking. She’s been super positive before the matches the whole week,” she said.

A happy Wolfe agreed it had been an enjoyable week:  “It’s been a while since I’ve made a final on the tour in doubles, so it’s been a very good week,” the 28-year-old said.

“I’ve known Kim since she was very little, so for me it’s kind of actually surreal to have known her since she was 12 then be on the same side. It just shows how old I am and how long I’ve been playing.

“I hope I somewhat helped Kimmy to learn a thing or two. She’s always been bubbly and smiling on the other side so it has made my life easier because I know I always have someone to count on. She made it a happy doubles.”

The surprise packets of the doubles draw are teaming up for the first time. It was Birrell’s coach who encouraged his charge to ask her more experienced partner to play.

“I was like ‘no way, she wouldn’t want to play with me’,” Birrell said. “But I ended up sending a text and I was like ‘do you want to teach me a thing or two on the doubles court this week, just wondering. But it is okay if not’.

“I was extremely happy when she said yes.”

The duo face the winner of tonight’s second semifinal between defending champions Kiki Bertens and Johanna Larsson against Christina McHale and Xinyun Han.

> Read more about Birrell’s dream week

> Happy memories for Wolfe’s return

Will Birrell and Wolfe win the doubles title tomorrow? Tell us what you think, join the #HobartTennis conversation on social media – Twitter or Facebook.