Brazilians on course for history to reach Hamburg final
Rising star Duda remains on track to become the youngest World Tour Finals champion after she and teammate Agatha Bednarczuk blitzed 2015 winners Larissa/Talita to set-up a final against Olympic and World champs Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst.
The 19-year-old and her Olympic silver medalist partner continued their impressive form on German sand by winning their fourth successive match without dropping set under the Red Bull Beach Arena lights.
Duda and Agatha needed just 32 minutes to triumph 21-12, 21-12 and now they go head-to-head with the home favorites for gold in the final at 2pm CET on Saturday.
“It was our best match against Larissa and Talita,” said a delighted Duda afterwards. “We had played well before but this was definitely when our strategy worked the best.
“We’ve been playing together and happy since our first game here and we need to do the same tomorrow. Just focus on each point and keep playing.”
Agatha, meanwhile, paid tribute to her younger partner in the wake of the brilliant victory.
“Duda’s serves were crucial to our victory,” she said. “She made Larissa and Talita move so much in the court to receive and they struggled with that.
“Our side out was really solid too. We want to win the tournament, but our main focus for tomorrow is on playing well and doing the best we can.”
For the losing team, Talita felt the game was one too many on a busy Friday of action for experienced duo.
“It was our third match today and we just couldn’t bring the same energy and the same power we had in the first two,” she said.
“We don’t have much to change for the bronze medal match. We’ve played the Canadians a few times and we know they are good.”
