Dolehide saves four match points and reaches the final in Guangzhou

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday, October 26, 2024

26 years old Caroline Dolehide came back from the brink to reach her second career WTA final in China on Saturday. She saved four match points and defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(9) at the Guangzhou China Open.

The world number 101 bravely saved four points in the final set tiebreak and converted her first match point to secure her first appearance in a WTA final since reaching the Guadalajara final last year.

The Illinois native and former world No. 41 will face Serbia Olga Danilovic for the title.

Danilovic reached her first career hardcourt final when top seed Katerina Siniakova was forced to retire 4-3 behind in the final set. The Czech, who struggled with discomfort throughout the game, appeared to have a stomach injury.

Speedy recovery, @K_Siniakova ❤️‍🩹

Olga Danilovic moves into the #GuangzhouOpen Final after the top seed is forced to withdraw.

Final result: 4-6, 6-4, 4-3, RET. pic.twitter.com/JhPzgWLcVS

– wta (@WTA) October 26, 2024

Dolehide will fight for her first career title while the 86th-ranked Danilovic will fight for her second title.

Danilovic has won the pair’s previous two meetings, in the 125km Indian Wells race in 2019 and in the final qualifying round at the 2021 US Open.