Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori win the US Open mixed doubles: “A dream come true” | ATP Tour

US Open

Errani and Vavassori win the US Open mixed doubles: “A dream come true”

The third seeds saved a match point in the opening round

September 05, 2024

Italian duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori capped a dream run to the mixed doubles title Thursday at the US Open, where the third seeds beat home pair Taylor Townsend and Donald Young 7-6(0), 7-5 in the championship match.

Errani and Vavassori held firm in moments of pressure, including an exchange of breaks late in the opening set that forced a tie-break, during which they did not lose a point. When Townsend and Young were serving to stay in the match at 5-6 in the second set, Errani and Vavassori went 0/40 ahead and converted their third match point.

Young, 35, who reached No. 38 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2012, was competing in his final professional tournament.

Errani and Vavassori survived a difficult path to become only the third Italian duo to win a Major mixed doubles title and the first since 1986. They started the tournament by overcoming a match point against Robert Galloway and Shelby Rogers. In the quarter-finals, Errani and Vavassori defeated Hsieh Su-Wei and Jan Zielinski, who were seeking their third mixed doubles title of the year (Australian Open, Wimbledon).

“It’s very special. It’s a dream come true for me,” Vavassori said. “To be with Sara, an incredible person, an incredible player. I always watch her throughout her career. It was incredible to play with her at Wimbledon and at the Olympics this year… We did it. We won a Grand Slam. It’s incredible.”

Vavassori, No. 9 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, partnered Simone Bolelli to reach the finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros this season. The Flushing Meadows mixed doubles title marks his first Major crown.

Last month, Errani won the gold medal in women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics alongside Jasmine Paolini. Errani, a five-time women’s doubles champion, was competing in her first mixed doubles final.

“It’s very special for me. I’ve never played mixed and sharing this moment with Andrea is very special,” Errani said. “I’m very happy. This is amazing for me. This year is amazing.”