Sara Errani, Andrea Vavassori Retain US Open Mixed Doubles Title In Revamped Event

After defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud to win the $1 million top prize in the new-look category that began play at the year’s last Grand Slam, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori maintained their US Open mixed doubles title on Wednesday. Swiatek and Ruud, two of the many singles players attracted by the large prize and the opportunity to compete in mixed doubles before singles action starts on Sunday, were defeated by the Italians 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 to top off two days of hard effort in the 16-team tournament.

Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion and second-ranked player in the world, won the Cincinnati Open on Monday after a two-hour fight with Jasmine Paolini. She then quickly traveled to New York to play alongside Ruud of Norway in the redesigned tournament. Superstar Novak Djokovic, who partnered with fellow Serb Olga Danilovic, and Carlos Alcaraz, the men’s champion in Cincinnati, also participated, but they were ousted on Tuesday along with their British playing partner Emma Raducanu.

The synergy between Italians Errani and Vavassori, developed over a two-year on-court relationship that also saw them win the French Open title this year, was decisive despite the large crowds attracted by the renowned names.

Errani hoped it showed that committed doubles teams — many of whom were shut out of the field — have plenty to offer.

“I think this one is also for all the doubles players that couldn’t play this tournament,” Errani said as she and Vavassori accepted the trophy. “I think this one is also for them.”

In the first set of the championship match, Errani and Vavassori jumped off to a 4-1 lead. Swiatek and Ruud then regained one break, but Vavassori’s strong hold ended the set. Swiatek and Ruud forced the 10-point match tiebreaker after winning three straight games after falling behind 4-5 in the second. In the tiebreaker, the Italians took a 4-0 lead and hung on.

“Congratulations,” Swiatek said at the trophy presentation. “You proved that, I guess, mixed doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players.

“But we pushed until the end. We tried to make it competitive.”

Before the final switched back to standard sets with a 10-point match tiebreak, the first three rounds, including Wednesday night’s semi-finals, were played with short sets with no-advantage scoring and a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set.

Swiatek and Ruud had won the final six points to advance after battling their way past top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in a 3-5, 5-3, 10-8 semi-final victory.

To get to the final, Errani and Vavassori easily defeated Christian Harrison and Danielle Collins of the United States 4-2, 4-2.Vavassori said that he and Errani were on a “mission” to outdo the singles celebrities.  However, both enjoyed the electrifying atmosphere on the crowded Arthur Ashe Stadium Court under the lights.

“It’s the court where I feel goosebumps every time here,” Errani said.

Vavassori also enjoyed the “amazing atmosphere” and thanked organizers for putting mixed doubles in the spotlight.

“I have to say that we showed today that doubles is a great product,” he said. “I think it was amazing to play on this court with so many people and I have to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for the atmosphere.”