At the C25 Bastad in Sweden, Zhang Ling was gunning for her third career ITF Women's Circuit doubles title when she teamed up with German Anne Schaefer to reach the final. However, they were defeated by the in form Slovakian-Dutch pairing of Klaudia Boczova and Nicole Thyssen in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.

In the previous round, Boczova and Thyssen, the number four seeds, overcame a one-set deficit to upset the top-seeded Austro-Slovakian pairing of Patricia Mayr and Lenka Tvaroskova in a third-set super-tiebreak, 2-6, 6-3, [13-11].

HKTA Elite Coach, Alistair Todd, reports from Sweden: "Boczova and Thyssen played some very solid doubles to totally dominate our pair from the opening game. They tried to change things up, but Boczova and Thyssen had an answer for everything they threw at them and really took the match away from the girls."

Earlier in the semifinals, the third-seeded HK-German combination had come from a set down to beat the No. 2 seeds from Russia, Vasilisa Davydova and Ksenia Pervak, 0-6, 7-6(5), [10-5].

"They were totally dominated in the opening 8 games and trailed 6-0, 2-0, before they got on the board. The second set was amazingly close, with Lynn and Anne saving 6 match points with some really good doubles. They forced it to a breaker and again combined really well to take it 7-5. They then continued their great fightback to win the deciding third set in a super-tiebreak in what was a really great match to watch," he added.

In the past twelve months, Davydova has won three C25 and three C10 doubles titles on the pro circuit. In addition, she was a runner-up at the C50 Moscow, a quarterfinalist at the C100 Kharkov, and a finalist at four other C25 events.

Davydova has a current WTA doubles ranking of No. 174.

Although ranked at a modest No. 601 in doubles, Pervak, however, is at a career-high No. 220 in singles and was the No. 3 seed in Bastad this week.

Zhang Ling, currently ranked No. 327 in singles and No. 367 in doubles, had previously won two doubles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit.

She first teamed up with Switzerland's Stefania Boffa to win the C10 Jakarta in September 2006 before adding a second at the C25 Pune last November where she collaborated with Thailand's Varatchaya Wongteanchai to beat Wynne Prakusya and Angelique Widjaja, 1-6, 7-5, [10-5].

Earlier in the week in the women's singles at Bastad, Zhang Ling was upended by wildcard entry, Nadja Roma (WTA 715), in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

Alistair Todd reports: "Roma played a smart match, hitting with a lot of heavy spin that forced Lynn back and made it hard for her to settle and control the points. This said, the match was a step-up from last week where Lynn's confidence was really struggling. With a few more matches under her belt, she should be able to adjust and feel far more comfortable with her game on clay."

"Overall, it was a really good week for the girls, combining for only the second time and posting a great result. For Lynn, this will hopefully act as a good confidence booster for her for the remainder of the tour."

Next up for Zhang Ling is the C10 Brussels where the projected seeds are (brackets denote Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Singles Rankings):

1. Zhang Ling (326)
2. Elena Pioppo (404)
3. Romana Janshen (406)
4. Elizaveta Tochilovskaya (424)
5. Nathalie Mohn (549)
6. Vasilisa Davydova (552)
7. Bibiane Schoofs (579)
8. Constance Sibille (581)

Results
US$25,000 ITF Women's Circuit
Bastad, Sweden
30 June-6 July 2008

WOMEN'S SINGLES

First Round
(WC)Nadja Roma (SWE) d. Zhang Ling (HKG) 6-3 6-4

WOMEN'S DOUBLES

First Round
(3)Zhang Ling/Anne Schaefer (HKG/GER) d. Mona Barthel/Yana Zavialova (GER/RUS) 6-2 6-1

Quarterfinals
(3)Zhang Ling/Anne Schaefer (HKG/GER) d. Diana Eriksson/Hanne Skak Jensen (SWE/DEN) 6-3 4-6 [10-8]

Semifinals
(3)Zhang Ling/Anne Schaefer (HKG/GER) d. (2)Vasilisa Davydova/Ksenia Pervak (RUS) 0-6 7-6(5) [10-5]

Final
(4)Klaudia Boczova/Nicole Thyssen (SVK/NED) d. (3)Zhang Ling/Anne Schaefer (HKG/GER) 6-2 6-1