Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their US Open mixed doubles title on Wednesday, defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 in a high-energy final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Italian duo, who also won the French Open earlier this year, showcased their chemistry and tactical sharpness to outlast their star-studded opponents and pocket the $1 million top prize.
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The clash brought together the experience of a seasoned doubles team against the raw firepower of two singles giants. Swiatek, fresh off her Cincinnati Open triumph, and Ruud had battled through dramatic wins to reach the final, including a tense semi-final comeback against top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper. But when it mattered most, Errani and Vavassori’s cohesion proved decisive.
The Italians raced to a 4-1 lead in the opening set and held firm despite Swiatek and Ruud’s late surge. The Polish-Norwegian pair struck back in the second set, stringing together three straight games to level the contest and force a decisive match tiebreak. But Errani and Vavassori stormed ahead 4-0 in the breaker and held their nerve to seal victory.
Speaking after the match, Errani dedicated the win to fellow doubles players who were excluded from the 16-team field, while Vavassori said the duo had been on a “mission” to prove the value of doubles tennis in front of packed crowds. Both players hailed the electric atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Errani describing the experience as “goosebumps every time.”
Swiatek praised the champions’ tactical nous, joking that “mixed doubles players are smarter than singles players,” but also took pride in the fight she and Ruud showed.
The revamped format of the competition, featuring short sets and no-advantage scoring in earlier rounds before a traditional final, drew major names like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Emma Raducanu, bringing new spotlight to mixed doubles. For Errani and Vavassori, the triumph underscored that doubles specialists not only belong on the big stage but thrive under its brightest lights.
