Hsieh and Strycova Bring the Cool in Brisbane

The eclectic doubles pair triumphed over the home town favorite

In her home town tournament, Ash Barty came close to triumph alongside partner Kiki Bertens in Sunday’s doubles final. The pair played a solid first set to take a 6–3 lead in the match, but couldn’t hold on against the eclectic combination of Hsieh Su-wei and Barbora Strycova.

Hsieh and Strycova are somewhat of an odd couple. Where Hsieh is contained, Strycova is emotional. Where Hsieh is light-hearted during play, Strycova is quick to show frustration. Where Hsieh’s game is all about precise timing and nifty flicks of the wrist, Strycova’s is strength and canny aggression.

It makes for great entertainment.

The second set of the match provided much of this entertainment, which each team wrestling for dominance. While Barty and Strycova are the higher ranked doubles players on their respective teams, it was Bertens and Hsieh who fought the best fights.

Hsieh’s cool was never better on display than after a tough baseline battle against the Dutch woman, one that she emerged victorious from. As Bertens blinked first, dropping the ball into the net, Hsieh flexed her bicep with a knowing grin.

The combined strength of Hsieh and Strycova would eventually bring them to a second set tiebreak and a match tiebreak to follow, both of which were fiercely contested by all four women. It would be the away-team and №1 seeds that would eventually overcome, for a winning scoreline of 3–6 7–6(7) 10–8.

Strycova, the elected speech-maker between the pair, perfectly summed up her partner’s unique game to the Brisbane crowd, “She sometimes plays shots I don’t understand, but they’re amazing.”

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