Taiwan sisters Chan Yung-jan and Chan Hao-ching claimed the Hobart International women’s doubles title Jan. 12 in Australia, clinching the duo’s first victory in the tournament.
 
In the 76-minute final, the Chans defeated Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium and Johanna Larsson of Sweden 6-3, 3-6 and 10-6 in a 10-point tiebreaker. The victory earned them US$12,300 in prize money and marks the 11th Women’s Tennis Association title they have won as a team.
 
Chan Yung-jan wrote on her Facebook page that overcoming the challenges posed by the heat and the wind gave her a huge confidence boost.
 
The sister’s last doubles triumph was at the Hong Kong Tennis Open in 2017. Ahead of the Hobart game, they also finished runners-up at the Brisbane International Jan. 5 in Australia.
 
Next up for the tennis stars will be the Australian Open, which is taking place Jan. 14-27 in Melbourne. Launched in 1994, the Hobart International is one of five Australian competitions, including the Brisbane International and Sydney International, held during the first two weeks of January before the Grand Slam tournament. (CPY-E)