NEW YORK CITY: Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi and Ukraine’s Antonina Sushkova pulled off another upset on Thursday, shocking the fourth-seeded Russian combine of Felitsata Dorofeeva-Rybas and Anna Pushkareva 6-4, 6-4 in 64 minutes to reach the US Open junior girls’ doubles semi-finals.It was another clean performance from the Indo-Ukrainian duo, who had knocked out fifth seeds Jana Kovackova and Katerina Zajickova of the Czech Republic in the second round.Maaya and Sushkova, both 17, were particularly strong on serve, with the duo winning 70% of their first-serve points, 23 of 33, and saving seven of the eight break points they faced. They struck four aces and 21 winners, converting three of the six break points they earned. More importantly, they made the key points count despite trailing the Russians 58-59 in total points won.Maaya, from Coimbatore and based in Spain, has partnered different players at the two previous majors where she played doubles this year, teaming up with American Thea Frodin at Wimbledon where they made the quarterfinals and Australian Renee Alame at the Australian Open.Next up for Maaya and Sushkova are American twins Kristina and Annika Penickova. The Penickovas, identical twins, who turn 17 on Friday, won the girls’ doubles title at the Australian Open in January.
