adminRodionova pulled through to the last four of this season-opening tournament by beating the pair of Marina Erakovic of New Zealand and Briton Heather Watson in the quarter-finals yesterday.
According to reports from Auckland, Black and Rodionova were stretched to three sets before prevailing 6-2, 4-6, 10-5 over crowd favourites Erakovic and Watson in an action packed last match of the night to reach the semi-finals.
To reach yesterday’s quarter-finals, Black and Rodionova beat Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Belgian Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in the first round on Tuesday.
Veteran Zimbabwean Black has been given a doubles wildcard in Auckland where she is making her return to the Women’s Tennis Association Tour after a year out following the birth of her first child.
The 33-year-old was ranked number one in the world in 2005 and has 54 career titles including five Grand Slams doubles and five mixed doubles titles. Tournament director Karl Budge recently told reporters in Auckland that Black is a good get.
He says they’re thrilled to have her at the tournament as she’s one of the most successful doubles players of all time.
Black has won a total of 10 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles and mixed doubles combined.
By winning the mixed doubles title at the 2010 Australian Open, Black became the third woman in the Open era to complete a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles (after Martina Navratilova and Daniela Hantuchová).
Online Reporter