Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are into the quarterfinals of the women's doubles at the Indian Wells Open after defeating Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk.
It was the second match of the day for the younger of the American pair. Gauff defeated Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets, which took her into the quarterfinals of the women's singles in Indian Wells.
Unfortunately, the American No. 2 in singles was less successful at Indian Wells this year. Pegula lost to Anna Blinkova in her opening match after an underwhelming performance by her standards.
Many players would be hesitant about playing two matches in one day. However, Gauff has shown commitment to her partnership with Pegula. They were successful again in this Indian Wells contest after a thrilling first set.
The all-American pair started strongly with a break in the second game, but that was immediately followed by the Pegula serve being broken in the next game, after much excellent net-play from their opponents.
Gauff and Pegula then began to dominate and looked secure at 5-2 up with a set point. But Dolehide and Krawczyk saved that set point, before breaking the Gauff serve to level the set at 5-5.
Dolehide and Krawcyzk broke again to make it 6-5 and served for the set. But Gauff and Pegula broke back after an incredible jumping forehand volley winner from Pegula, which had everyone in the crowd on their feet.
There were incredible shifts in momentum in the tiebreak. Gauff and Pegula won the first four points, but their opponents then claimed six points in a row to leave them with two points, Yet, they could not take either of those chances.
Dolehide and Krawcyzk had another set point at 7-6, which was saved in extraordinary fashion again primarily by Pegula. She somehow managed to return two smashes at the net, with the second being an amazing lob that allowed Gauff to finish the point with the next shot.
Gauff and Pegula then wasted three set points of their own, but finally, a Gauff groundstroke was hit long to give the two Americans the tiebreak 12-10, with the crowd making extraordinary noise after the drama they witnessed.
It seemed like the second set was going to be another tight affair. The score was locked at 2-2 after each pair broke once, with more great shots being played for the fans to enjoy.
However, it then ended quickly. Gauff and Pegula rattled off the final four games to seal a 7-6 6-2 victory after a very enjoyable affair to watch.
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