Canada's Dabrowski, partner Routliffe finish group stage unbeaten at WTA Finals

Ottawa's Gabriela Dabrowski and partner Erin Routliffe of New Zealand finished the women's doubles group stage at the WTA Finals with a perfect record after defeating the Czech duo of Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova 6-4, 7-5 on Friday in Cancun, Mexico.

The reigning U.S. Open champions, seeded seventh in the eight-team event, took one hour 34 minutes to defeat the reigning Olympic champions, who won this event in 2021.

Dabrowski picked up a crucial break with the second set tied 5-5 when she fired a backhand return down the line for a winner.

The Canadian served to love in the next game to seal the victory.

WATCH | Dabrowski, Routliffe take down Olympic champs:

Dabrowski and Routliffe, who grew up in Ontario and used to represent Canada before switching allegiances to her native New Zealand, finished group play at 3-0 after opening with a win over top seeds Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, then beating Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva in a U.S. Open final rematch.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will next face Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia's Ellen Perez on Saturday in a surprising semifinal matchup of the tournament's two lowest seeds.

WATCH l Dabrowski, Routliffe upset world No.1 team in WTA Finals opener: