They beat doubles players in 2024. They beat singles players in 2025.
By every metric, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are the best mixed doubles team in the world.
Errani and Vavassori proved it again by winning a second consecutive U.S. Open title on Wednesday night. The Italian duo defeated Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 in the championship match.
In this newly revamped format of the mixed doubles competition in New York, Errani and Vavassori were dominant through three rounds. The only duo in the entire field of 16 consisting entirely of doubles specialists, the Italians handed out free doubles lessons in the first round, quarterfinals, and semis. They did the same in the final until Vavassori served for the title at 5-4 in the second set. Having not been broken all tournament long, Vavassori suddenly dropped serve.
That ultimately paved the way to a tiebreaker, at which point the Italians regained control. They raced to a 4-0 lead and never looked back.
“You proved that mixed doubles players are smarter technically than singles players,” Swiatek told the winners during the trophy ceremony.
“We showed today that doubles is a great product,” Vavassori commented. “I think in the future we need more marketing and visibility. I think this product is something that can also work in the future. It was amazing to play on this out with so many people. I have to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for the atmosphere.”
“I think this one is for all the doubles players that couldn’t play this tournament,” Errani added. “I think this one is also for them.”
nice one, Italians
What does the Open do next year to top this? For starters, add a few more teams of the doubles specialists?! (Sorry, Mardy.)
32 teams, half doubles specialists
play on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (not Tuesday, Wednesday)
end Cincinnati on Sunday (for reasons unrelated to the mixed doubles)
start the semis at 6:00 pm
Perfecto