The pair of Gabriela Ruse and Marta Kostiuk stopped in the semifinals of the doubles of the “WTA 1000” tournament in Madrid, losing to the Americans Jessica Pegula and Cory Gauff with the score of 7-5, 7-6(5).

Marta Kostiuk and Gabriela RusePhoto: Rob Prange / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Gabriela Ruse and Marta Kostiuk, defeats from the Americans Cory Gauff and Jessica Pegula

This year’s Australian Open semi-finalists Ruse and Kostyuk also surprised at Caja Magica and reached the penultimate stage.

The Romanian-Ukrainian pair made a great start to the match against the main favourites, leading 3-0 and 5-2, but lost the first set after the Americans won five games in a row.

Gabriela and Marta missed 6 of 8 break points in the second set, saved a match point at 6-5, but eventually surrendered in the tie-break despite leading 5-4.

Know:

  • For the trip from Madrid, Gabriela and Marta will receive 108,190 euros and 390 points in the WTA doubles ranking.
  • Corey Gauff and Jessica Pegula will play a match for the trophy with the winners of the match Victoria Azarenka/Beatrice Haddad Maia (Belarus/Brazil) – Leila Fernandez/Taylor Townsend (Canada/USA).