Italian doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori completed their "mission" by defeating singles stars Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud to win the controversially revamped US Open mixed doubles title. The defending champions secured a thrilling 6-3 5-7 10-6 victory at almost midnight in New York, walking away with a dramatically increased prize pot of $1 million (£740,000).
The pair were the only recognised doubles pairing in the 16-team draw, competing against a field dominated by singles players. Their triumph vindicated their stance after initially facing exclusion from the new tournament format designed to attract superstars like Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
"This is for all the doubles players who couldn't play this tournament," said Errani after their victory. Vavassori added: "We have been on a mission."
Prize money controversy vindicated
The prize money increase from $200,000 (£148,000) last year to $1 million this year was specifically designed to entice singles stars to participate. However, this controversial decision meant the majority of doubles specialists were sidelined, with Errani and Vavassori only securing entry through a wildcard despite their combined singles rankings being too low for direct qualification.
The Italian pair had previously issued a joint statement calling the organisers' move "profoundly wrong" when the tournament's "reimagination" was first announced. Congratulating the champions, a smiling Swiatek acknowledged: "I guess you proved doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players."
Vavassori emphasised the broader significance of their victory: "We showed that doubles is a great product and in the future we need more marketing and visibility."
British hopes dashed in semifinals
Britain's Jack Draper, partnering home favourite Jessica Pegula, came agonisingly close to reaching the final. The pair led 8-4 in the deciding match tie-break against Swiatek and Ruud before losing their semifinal earlier on Wednesday.
Pegula's clasp of her head after blowing their commanding lead summed up their bitter disappointment. Third seeds Swiatek and Ruud had fought back from the same 8-4 deficit but could not repeat the feat against the eventual champions in the final.
The Guardian reports that Draper and Pegula had earlier eliminated star pairing Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu in the first round. At 3-3 30-30 in the opening set, Ruud called for a VAR-style check on a Pegula shot, with the umpire confirming the American had not reached over the net following fervent discussion between the opposing players.
Tournament atmosphere transforms
The revamped format brought unprecedented intensity to what initially felt like an exhibition. Finals night immediately transformed into serious business, opening with a patriotic rendition of the national anthem and US Marine Corps members standing with an unfurled Stars and Stripes flag.
A packed Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd stayed until the end, entertained by DJs playing a New York-inspired playlist featuring Jay-Z, Cyndi Lauper and the Friends theme tune. According to the Daily Mail, fashion icon Anna Wintour, who recently stepped back from her role as Vogue editor-in-chief, was featured on the jumbotron alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, adding star power to the near-capacity crowd.
The Italians celebrated their vindication with trademark exuberance, with Vavassori hoisting Errani into the air after proving that doubles specialists deserve their place on tennis's biggest stages. Many feel this title has been devalued as a major, with some even putting asterisks next to the champions, but the competitive intensity proved otherwise.
Sources used: "PA Media", "The Guardian", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
