Doubles specialists Errani-Vavassori upset Swiatek-Ruud to win US Open mixed crown

Doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their crown in the first-ever US Open mixed doubles championship. Navigating through a stacked field of singles superstars, Errani and Vavassori proved a point, defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 in the final of the 16-team, two-day event on August 21.

In a reimagined format aimed at attracting top singles talent, the defending champions entered the draw as wild cards—an irony not lost on many, given that the event prioritised singles rankings over doubles credentials. Undeterred, Errani and Vavassori relied on their veteran experience and tactical cohesion to outmanoeuvre the Polish-Norwegian pairing. A capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium roared as Vavassori sealed the victory with a blistering forehand, securing the $1 million prize.

This year, organisers introduced a streamlined format, reducing the mixed doubles field to 16 teams—half the size of previous editions. Eight places were awarded based on players’ combined singles rankings, while the other eight were allocated as wild cards. The event was staged during the week preceding the main singles draw—a strategic decision aimed at elevating the visibility of a discipline often overshadowed by singles play.

Errani and Vavassori opened strongly, taking the first set 6-3 by capitalising on early momentum and unforced errors from Swiatek, including a crucial missed forehand. Although the Italians broke again early in the second, Swiatek and Ruud mounted a spirited comeback to level the match 7-5, forcing a decisive 10-point match tiebreak. In the end, the Italians’ composure and doubles acumen made the difference, as they edged out their opponents 10-6 to retain their crown.

Earlier in the day, Swiatek and Ruud pulled off a dramatic semi-final win over top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, prevailing 3-5, 5-3, [10-8]. Errani and Vavassori, by contrast, cruised through their semi-final in just 44 minutes, dispatching Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison 4-2, 4-2 with clinical efficiency.

CONTROVERSY ON MIXED DOUBLES NEW FORMAT

While the revised format proved a hit with fans, it also stirred controversy. Several doubles specialists voiced concerns that the emphasis on singles rankings devalued both the integrity of the Grand Slam title and the discipline of doubles itself. Errani and Vavassori were, notably, the only true doubles specialists among the 16 participating teams—an achievement that added further significance to their victory. In response to the criticism, the United States Tennis Association argued that the traditional format had already failed to give mixed doubles the prominence it deserved.

Despite the debate, the tournament was widely regarded as a success in terms of both audience engagement and atmosphere. Long cherished by tennis purists but often overlooked in the broader Grand Slam calendar, the mixed doubles event this year drew packed crowds and renewed media attention. Inspired in part by the buzz surrounding the iconic 2019 Wimbledon partnership of Serena Williams and Andy Murray—a pairing that captured global interest—organisers sought to replicate that excitement in New York, and largely succeeded.

Fan enthusiasm translated into significant demand: by Monday, courtside tickets for Wednesday’s semi-finals and final were being listed at over $500 on secondary ticket platform StubHub. With their win, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori not only defended their title but also reaffirmed the enduring value of doubles expertise in a tournament seeking to reinvent its place in the spotlight.