Jaqueline Cristian and Gabriela Ruse, eliminated in the doubles semi-final in Dubai, after a match of almost two hours!

• In the other semi-final, Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada, 33 years old) and Luisa Stefani (Brazil, 28 years old) prevailed 4-6, 6-2, 10-6 in front of the pair Anna Danilina (Kazakhstan, 30 years old)/Aleksandra Krunic (Serbia, 32 years old).

Jaqueline Cristian and Gabriela Ruse had an excellent run in the doubles competition in Dubai, achieving three victories that took them to the semi-finals. They battled Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva for a place in the final act of the tournament.

Gabriela Ruse and Jaqueline Cristian, defeated by the experience and maturity of their opponents

The Romanians started well, they broke in the first game, but the opponents responded with a re-break. Jaqueline and Gabriela made an effort, they tried to confuse the experienced tennis players on the other side of the net, but the 2020 US Open champions showed their quality.

Siegemund played excellently from near the net, while Zvonareva often found well-placed shots. After losing the opening set 6-3, Ruse and Cristian had some good moments, offered a solid reply and led 5-3, but their opponents came back.

In the tiebreak, the Romanians had two set points, which they did not succeed. Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (6) and qualified for the final of the WTA 1000 tournament from Dubai, where they will meet Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani.

For the performance achieved in Dubai, Cristian and Ruse will receive $59,000 and 390 WTA points in doubles.

Final. Jaqueline Cristian/Gabriela Ruse – Laura Siegemund/Vera Zvonareva, semi-final of the Dubai tournament: 3-6, 6-7 (6)

Final match. 3-6, 6-7 (6). Ruse and Cristian had two set points, but they did not succeed, and Siegemund and Zvonareva showed their experience and qualified for the final.
6-6. Successful break by Ruse and Cristian, after a double fault by Siegemund. The tie-break follows.
5-6. A new break for Siegemund and Zvonareva. 100 minutes of play have passed.
5-5. The second consecutive range for the Russian-German pair. Gabriela's service range follows.
5-4. Re-break for Siegemund and Zvonareva. A wasted chance for our players.
5-3. Break for Cristian and Ruse. The opponents saved a break point, but then Zvonareva hit the net. Jaqueline follows to serve to win the second set.
4-3. Excellent game for Romanians. Cristian did very well at the net, and Ruse found ingenious solutions from the bottom line.

3-3. A new successful range by Siegemund and Zvonareva. Next Russians at work.
3-2. After wasting 3 game balls, Ruse and Cristian closed the game and avoided a complicated situation.
2-2. The world number 80 quickly returned from the locker room and the opponents managed to equalize.
2-1. With two excellent serves, Ruse saves two break points and our players take the lead in the second set. Gabriela Ruse requested a medical time-out and went to the locker room.
1-1. Siegemund and Zvonareva led 40-0, followed by two excellently managed points by Ruse and Cristian, but did not complete the comeback.
1-0. The Romanians start the second sequence well.
The start of the second set. Jaqueline Cristian serves.

Gabriela Ruse and Jaqueline Cristian, in the semi-final in Dubai/Photo: Getty Images

End of the first set. 3-6. Game won to 0 by the Russian-German pair, which closes the set in 42 minutes. Ruse's ball on the last point ricochets into a ball kid and the 28-year-old athlete makes sure the kid is okay.
3-5. Break for multiple Grand Slam winners. Ruse has problems with the first serve, and Zvonareva and Siegemund are careful and take advantage of their opponents' mistakes.
3-4. Another game in which Siegemund and Zvonareva manage to save break points. Ruse and Cristian constantly encourage each other with “come on” and seem motivated and focused, but the opponents resist and maintain their lead.

3-3. Game to 0 for Romanian sportswomen. Jaqueline served very well and both she and her partner were aggressive, putting pressure on their opponents.
2-3. Reverse scenario: this time, Ruse and Cristian had a break point and it was Siegemund and Zvonareva's turn to come back.
2-2. Ups and downs for Russians. He started with an ace, after which he shouldered a ball to his colleague. In the end, the Romanians saved several break points and equalized.
1-2. Second consecutive range for Siegemund/Zvonareva. The 2020 US Open champions have shown so far that they have plenty of experience together.
1-1. Re-break for the German-Russian pair. The decisive point was won after a double fault by Jaqueline.
1-0. Break for the Romanians from the first set. The opponents started with two points won, but our players responded strongly and took the lead. Follow Jaqueline Cristian at work.
Kick off in Dubai. Opponents start at work.

The course of the Cristian/Ruse pair at the WTA 1000 Dubai tournament

• Round 1: 6-4, 7-6 (1) vs. Asia Muhammad (USA, 34)/Erin Routliffe (New Zealand, 30)

• Optimum finals: 6-7 (8), 6-3, 10-7 vs. Alexandra Panova (Russia, 36 years old)/Diana Shnaider (Russia, 21 years old)

• Quarter finals: 3-6, 6-2, 10-8 vs. Hao-Ching Chan (Taiwan, 32 years old)/Clara Tauson (Denmark, 23 years old)

• Semifinals: 3-6, 6-7 (6) vs. Laura Siegemund (Germany, 37 years old)/Vera Zvonareva (Russia, 41 years old)