Italians Errani, Vavassori Defend US Open Mixed Doubles Title

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori of Italy successfully defended their US Open mixed doubles title by defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in a closely contested final, winning 6-3, 5-7, 10-6. The event featured a revamped format that prioritized singles rankings for half the teams and compressed the schedule, drawing criticism but ultimately showcasing doubles in front of packed crowds at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite initial skepticism, Errani and Vavassori, who entered via wild card, demonstrated the competitive and tactical nature of doubles, emphasizing the importance of the event for doubles specialists who were otherwise excluded. The $1 million prize marked a significant reward for the duo, who also won the French Open mixed doubles earlier this year. The tournament's new format, including top singles stars, was a marketing success, generating high attendance and strong atmosphere, though some doubles players expressed concerns about the changes. Swiatek praised the Italians' tactical play and competitiveness despite the pairing being newly formed, highlighting the high level of competition in the revamped mixed doubles event.