In «Drivhuset», the most charming of the three stadium facilities, Ulrikke Eikeri faced a peel of dimensions when she and Belgian Joran Vliegen went to the final of the doubles tournament in Roland-Garros. After being played around in the first set and ending up in the second, the duo who had never played a match together before woke up a few days ago. – It was a wild comeback by Eikeri and Vliegen, and it was a comeback driven by the North Beach girl, says Eurosport’s commentator Sverre Krogh Sundbø. It happened against all odds. Enormous opposition Kevin Krawietz is one of the world’s best doubles players on gravel. The German has won the French Open twice for men. Nicole Melichar-Martinez has two final losses in the Grand Slam context, as well as two further semifinals. The duo has been ranked among the top ten in the world several times. And that is exactly what Eikeri and Vliegen got to know from the start. It looked like it was going to be an easy affair for Melichar-Martinez and Krawietz, who won the first two sets. But then Eikeri and Vliegen managed to break the opponent, and it all ended in a super tiebreak. Secretary General Aslak Paulsen can not believe what he has just witnessed. In the stands you could both see and feel the excitement, which lasted until the last blow. – They were played around, there is nothing else to say but that. But then it turns around. The opposing pair did not get everything they needed, took a few more chances, and we sat here with a pulse of 180, Paulsen says to NRK. JOY: A buttery Ulrikke Eikeli could breathe a sigh of relief after the highly dramatic semi-final. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / NRK – Not every day Supertiebreaket ended 10-7, and now Eikeri and Vliegen will play finals in the doubles tournament. Eurosport’s comment believes that Eikeri should have a lot of credit for the couple making it to a final, and had to point out the good performance on several occasions. – Eikeri has been far better than his partner. I think she has been a better tennis player today than she has ever been, says Krogh Sundbø. The general secretary knows he is proud to be Norwegian now. – I just have to congratulate Ulrikke on a completely insane achievement. It is not every day you are allowed to experience a Norwegian in a grand slam final, he says. He can hardly believe that the couple managed to turn it to their advantage. – To begin with, it looks like they will go home with 1-0 or 1-1. But then something happens when you have something to defend, and it can be demanding. I’m super proud. Now we got an appetizer, he says and aims for the Scandinavian duel between Casper Ruud and Holger Rune later Wednesday. The match ended 1-6 and 7-6 (7-4), 10-7, and was over in an hour and 24 minutes. In the final, the winner of the settlement is Gabriela Dabrowski, Canada / John Peers, Australia and Ena Shibahara, Japan / Wesley Koolhof, The Netherlands. The two pairs are third and second seeded in the tournament.
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Wild comeback by Eikeri and Vliegen – to sensational finale – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
