Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Aug 21: Italy’s Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their US Open mixed doubles title on Wednesday, defeating world no. 2 Iga Swiatek and Norway’s Casper Ruud in a thrilling final. The Italian pair prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 to secure the $1 million top prize in the newly revamped competition that launched the final Grand Slam of the season.

The clash drew huge interest as the event featured several top singles stars including Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, and Novak Djokovic, though all fell short in earlier rounds. The focus, however, shifted to the chemistry of Errani and Vavassori, who have been playing together for two years and also lifted the French Open mixed doubles title earlier this season.

“We wanted to show that committed doubles players can make a big impact,” said Errani while dedicating the victory to professionals who missed out on entry.

The Italians surged ahead 4-1 in the opening set before Swiatek and Ruud fought back to force a deciding super tie-break. But a dominant start in the breaker gave Errani and Vavassori the edge, sealing back-to-back titles under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Swiatek, coming off a Cincinnati Open win just two days earlier, praised the Italians’ tactics, saying, “They proved that mixed doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players. But we pushed until the end.”

The tournament, played with short sets, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point tie-break until the final, was designed to bring mixed doubles into the spotlight. Vavassori called the run a “mission” to prove themselves against singles superstars, while Errani described competing in front of packed crowds at Ashe as “goosebumps every time.”