Fernandez, Cornet stay doubles hunt at Indian Wells

MANILA, Philippines – Taking another early exit in singles, Leylah Fernandez gets to stay a little long in doubles play as she and French partner Alize Cornet scored a walkover win over Czech Marie Bouzkova and Lucie Hradecka to advance to the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time).

They will next face Yifan Xu and Zhaoxuan Yang after the Chinese pair wore down the eighth-seeded tandem of Caroline Dolehide of the US and Aussie Storm Sanders, 1-6, 7-6(4), 11-9, in their side of the quarterfinal clash.

The other semis pairing pits Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and Giuliana Olmos of Mexico against American Asia Muhammad and Japanese Ena Shibahara.

Fernandez and Cornet hacked out a pair of three-setters to get through the quarters, foiling Aussie Sam Stosur and Chinese Shuai Zhang, 1-6, 7-6(7), 10-8; and repulsing Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva, 6-2, 3-6, 10-2.

While she boosted their bid for a crack at the doubles crown, the Fil-Canadian Fernandez bowed out in singles, succumbing to defending champion Paula Badosa’s power, 4-6, 4-6, in the Round of 16 Tuesday.

Meanwhile, third seed Iga Swiatek trounced Madison Keys, 6-1, 6-0, to post her ninth consecutive win and roll into the singles semis against 2015 champion Simona Halep, who likewise annexed a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Badosa, on the other hand, will slug it out with Veronika Kudermetova while Maria Sakkari of Greece faces Elena Rybakina of Uzbekistan for the last two semifinal berths.