'Mission completed' - doubles specialists win US Open mixed title

Italian doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori completed their "mission" by beating singles stars Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud to triumph nan controversially revamped US Open mixed event.

Errani and Vavassori, whose spot successful nan new-look tourney was initially nether threat, defended their crown pinch a thrilling 6-3 5-7 10-6 triumph secured astatine almost midnight successful New York.

The brace walked distant pinch nan accrued prize cookware of $1m (£740,000) designed to pull superstars for illustration Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic - 5 times much than nan $200,000 (£148,000) they won past year.

Enticing nan singles players meant Errani and Vavassori were nan only recognised doubles pairing successful nan 16-team draw.

"This is for each nan doubles players who couldn't play this tournament," said Errani.

Vavassori added: "We person been connected a mission."

The Italians showed their joyousness astatine winning different Grand Slam title - and proving a constituent to tourney organisers - by Vavassori hoisting Errani into nan air.

Britain's Jack Draper, playing alongside location favourite Jessica Pegula, mislaid to Swiatek and Ruud successful nan semi-finals earlier connected Wednesday.

When nan US Open announced a "reimagination" of nan mixed doubles - pinch a shorter scoring format successful nan earlier rounds and caller scheduling slot earlier nan singles draws - sentiment was split.

It provoked outrage among doubles players, pinch Errani and Vavassori issuing a associated connection wherever they called retired nan organisers for what they felt was a "profoundly wrong" move.

The pair, whose mixed singles rankings were excessively debased for nonstop entry, were yet fixed a wildcard - but nan mostly of doubles specialists were near sidelined.

Congratulating nan champions, a smiling Swiatek said: "I conjecture you proved doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players."

After winning their opening 2 matches connected Tuesday, Vavassori proclaimed they were competing connected behalf of their peers who were ostracised by nan inclusion of much singles stars.

The brace showed nan aforesaid value and tenacity successful Wednesday's climax, beating American brace Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison successful nan semi-finals earlier seeing disconnected Swiatek and Ruud.

Third seeds Swiatek and Ruud fought backmost from 8-4 down successful nan lucifer tie-break of their semi-final against Pegula and Draper - but could not repetition nan feat pinch nan title connected nan line.

"We showed that doubles is simply a awesome merchandise and successful nan early we request much trading and visibility," added Vavassori.

If nan opening time had nan aerial of an accumulation astatine definite times, nan finals nighttime instantly felt for illustration business.

From nan commencement it brought nan consciousness of a accepted US Open showpiece event, pinch a patriotic rendition of nan nationalist anthem and a group of US Marine Corps opinionated pinch an unfurled Stars and Stripes emblem providing pomp.

Many consciousness nan overhaul has devalued nan mixed doubles arsenic a awesome title. Some are moreover putting asterisks adjacent to nan champions.

Given that, nan stadium announcer outlining what winning nan title would mean for each player's Grand Slam résumé felt for illustration an effort to adhd legitimacy.

The opening semi-final was played astatine a ferocious strength - not astonishing fixed nan will-to-win of nan characters progressive - while Ruud calling for a VAR-style cheque connected a Pegula changeable was different denotation of really earnestly it was being taken.

At 3-3 30-30, nan umpire confirmed nan American had not reached complete nan nett - pursuing fervent chat betwixt nan opposing players - pinch Pegula and Draper utilizing nan momentum to triumph nan opening set.

But Pegula's clasp of her caput aft they blew an 8-4 lead successful nan first-to-10 lucifer tie-break summed up their bitter disappointment astatine missing a changeable for nan trophy.

Unsurprisingly, Errani and Vavassori were besides earnestly pumped up.

The duo mirroring Hulk Hogan-style underarm bicep flexes aft winning their semi-final was 1 of nan defining images.

While nan power connected tribunal ramped up, nan accent connected providing intermezo for those watching successful nan stands remained.

A brace of DJs were perched down courtside decks, tasked pinch whipping up nan crowd done a New York-inspired playlist including Jay-Z, Cyndi Lauper and nan Friends taxable tune, while nan acquainted show of Celeb Cam and Dance Cam added to nan statement atmosphere.

Fashion icon Anna Wintour, who precocious stepped backmost from her domiciled arsenic Vogue editor-in-chief, added further star-dust successful a near-full capacity crowd.

Thousands stayed precocious until nan extremity and were rewarded pinch a good finale to a transformative tourney which looks destined to enactment successful nan coming years.