Cincinnati, USA, 20 August 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Ellen Perez has fallen just short in her quest to win the biggest doubles title of her career.
The 27-year-old Australian and American partner Nicole Melichar-Martinez finished runners-up at the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati.
American duo Alycia Parks and Taylor Townsend edged out a 6-7(1) 6-4 [10-6] victory in the final.
World No.12 Perez and world No.11 Melichar-Martinez made history with their performance in Cincinnati this week, becoming the first team to reach back-to-back women’s doubles finals in the Open era.
However, the third seeds lost in the championship match for the second consecutive year.
Perez still joins exclusive company as only the fourth Australian – and first in 50 years – to reach multiple women’s doubles finals at Cincinnati in the Open era.
| Cincinnati, women’s doubles Australian finalists in Open era |
|
| Player | Year |
| Kerry Harris | 1969, 1971 |
| Helen Gourlay Cawley | 1970, 1971 |
| Margaret Court | 1972 |
| Evonne Goolagong Cawley | 1972, 1973 |
| Janet Young | 1973 |
| Rennae Stubbs | 2010 |
| Casey Dellacqua | 2015 |
| Sam Stosur | 2021 |
| Ellen Perez | 2022, 2023 |
Perez and Melichar-Martinez now turn their attention to a WTA 250 tournament in Cleveland next week, where they are the defending champions.
Aussies in action – Cincinnati
RESULTS
Women’s doubles, final
Alycia Parks (USA)/Taylor Townsend (USA) d [3] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) 6-7(1) 6-4 [10-6]
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