When it’s come to tandem success in 2013, not many players have fared better than Casey Dellacqua.
The Australian has put together a near-perfect 12-2 win-loss record this season on the doubles court, her most notable achievements being an exciting run to the Australian Open final with compatriot Ash Barty, and winning the Pattaya tournament – her first career WTA title – with Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm.
Now in Indian Wells, Dellacqua has continued that success with the Japanese veteran, with the pair winning through to the semifinals of the prestigious Premier event sometimes referred to as the “Fifth Grand Slam”.
“Yeah, it was awesome,” Dellacqua said of their 6-2 6-4 quarterfinal victory over Russians Vera Dushevina and Alexandra Panova.
“Kimiko and I so far have a 100 per cent strike rate. We’ve only played once before in Pattaya, and won there, and now we’ve had a run through to the semifinals so far here, so it’s been great. We’ve played really well.”
Dellacqua has enjoyed a fine doubles career, having won the 2011 French Open mixed title with American Scott Lipsky, reached the French Open women’s doubles final in 2008 with Francesca Schiavone, and peaked at a career-high doubles ranking of No.9 in 2009. After several injury-plagued years between then and now, she currently sits at No.22, and stands to rise even higher after her stellar form in the Californian desert.
The Western Australian left-hander has often said that good form on the doubles court helps with her singles game, and that was confirmed last week when she won two matches to qualify for the singles main draw at Indian Wells.
But it’s her doubles results that have turned heads in 2013, and what’s more, they couldn’t have come with two more different partners.
“You’ve got someone like Ash who’s 16 and who hits with shape, and she’s got a certain style, then you’ve got someone like Kimiko who’s at the other end of her career spectrum, and she hits the ball quite flat,” Dellacqua observed.
“But both of them are very good players, and I’ve had the privilege of playing with both of them. It’s actually been a real honour I guess, because that’s what I love about the game of tennis – it’s a game for old or young, it doesn’t even matter what level. Anyone can play, and I’ve had a great opportunity to play with both players.”
The 28-year-old will look to continue her run with Date-Krumm when they take on another Russian pairing in No.4 seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.
“Makarova and Vesnina are always tough,” Dellacqua said of the match-up, which will take place on Thursday (US Pacific Coast time).
“I think the main thing is that Kimiko and I stay fresh and keep enjoying ourselves. We play really well together and whoever we play we come up with a plan and hopefully we’re able to execute that in the next round.”
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