Sun, Routliffe go down fighting against tough opposition at Olympics

Photo Credit: ITF images via Dubreuil/Kopatsch/Zimmer

Lulu Sun and Erin Routliffe's time at the Olympics has come to an end following their 6-2 6-3 loss to Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani in Paris on Monday.

This first-round match was moved from an outside court to Philippe Chatrier, the biggest stadium at Roland Garros, as a bonus match for the day session at one of the most iconic venues in tennis.

Sun and Routliffe put up a good battle, in just their second-ever doubles match together, but Errani and Paolini, the tournament’s No 3 seeds and current French Open champions, are a formidable doubles team. 

The Italian duo regularly play together on Tour, while Paolini is in the form of her life and that experience could take them deep into the doubles draw in Paris.

In the first set, Sun and Routliffe did have a look at a break point on Errani’s serve but weren’t able to convert it, while Routliffe was broken twice when serving.

The second set was tighter, with the New Zealand team able to hold serve with more comfort and they had another break point on Errani’s serve at 3-3, but again weren’t able to nail it.

Routliffe’s serve was broken in the following game to put Paolini in a position to serve for the match and despite it going to deuce, the Italians secured victory on their second match point.