LOUISE Hunt has returned from the latest batch of tournaments in mainland Europe celebrating another doubles title, while also reaching back-to-back finals.

Wanborough’s Hunt and German partner Katharina Kruger kicked things off by triumphing at the ITF 2 Series Austrian Open and followed that up with a runners-up finish at the German Open.

First up, 24-year-old Hunt and Kruger justified their top seeding in Austria to claim their second title together.

However, after a bye into the last four, the Wimbledon pairing needed to draw on all their experience to win their semi-final and final in deciding match tie-breaks, having been a set down on both occasions.

Hunt and Kruger edged out Russia’s Ludmila Bubova and Japan’s Miho Nijo 2-6, 6-4, (10-8) in the semis and then overcame second seeds Emmanuelle Morch of France and Michaela Spaanstra of the Netherlands 2-6, 6-2, (10-8) to lift the trophy.

The pair enjoyed a much better start to the German Open as Hunt and Kruger dropped just two games en route to the final and it was only another deciding match tie-break that ended their quest for back-to-back titles as top seeds Lucy Shuker and Korea’s Ju-Yeon Park prevailed 1-6, 7-5, (10-7).

Hunt said: “I know we won the title in Austria but I wasn’t playing well, so to come away with the doubles title was a relief. It was just one of those weeks where I wasn’t at my best.

“I took Katharina to three sets in the singles semi-finals and my coach Ali Ward reminded me that if I can take her to three sets when I’m not at my best then there’s more to come.

“I played much better in Berlin and was much happier with my form, so I’ve got a few weeks to build on that now in my next training block.”

Hunt’s singles challenge in Berlin came to an end in the semi-finals, where top seed Shuker won their all-British contest 6-3, 6-3.

Hunt is in action in Brazil next month and will also be entering the year-end UNIQLO Wheelchair Doubles Masters in California with Kruger, after the duo upset the odds to reach last year’s final.