Back before the US Open mixed doubles tournament became a singles-dominant event, Sara Errani
and Andrea Vavassori took the title a year ago.
This year, with so many top singles players in the draw, the Italian team was something of an afterthought. And why not?
In Thursday night’s final, it was the unseeded wild-card team of Errani and Vavassori up against the No. 3 seeds Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, ranked No.2 and No. 12 in singles.
For the record, Errani came into the match ranked No. 291 singles among Hologic WTA Tour players and Vavassori was the ATP Tour’s No. 306, having split two matches this year and compiling a career record of 10-13 for his career.
No contest, right?
Wrong. The doubles players, playing the game to which they’re accustomed, prevailed 6-3, 5-7 [10-6] in a match-tiebreak.
“I guess doubles players are better tactically than singles players,” Swiatek said afterward.
“Thanks to my partner,” Vavassori told the crowd. “Thanks for the energy, it’s unbelievable for me to play with you. We’ve shown today that doubles is a great product.”
With the mixed title at Roland Garros this spring, they have now won three of the past five Grand Slam mixed titles.
Both sides converted three break points, but Errani and Vavassori were more efficient, stroking 25 winners, against only 12 unforced errors.
“I loved every minute of it,” ESPN analyst Mary Joe Fernandez said. “These two, Vavassori and Errani, they know each other’s style, they know each other so well. I think in a year we’ll see better meshing from the singles players.”
The final came only after both semifinals were decided earlier Wednesday. Here’s how the path to the championship match unfolded.
No. 3 Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud def. No. 1 Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper 3-5, 5-3 [10-8]
After 12 straight mixed doubles matches that ended in straight sets, this one went the distance. But when Swiatek double-faulted, she and Ruud found themselves down 8-4 in the match-tiebreak. Somehow, they found a way to win the last six points. The final stroke was a winner from Swiatek who called it the “most important volley of my life.”
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori def. Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison 4-2, 4-2
The winners took 18 of their 21 first-serve points and five of 11 second-serve points. “Goose bumps,” Errani said afterward. Vavassori and Errani were far more efficient, hitting 20 winners and only six unforced errors.
What a crazy couple of days for Iga Swiatek, she went from winning Cincinnati on Monday straight to New York city that same night where 16 hours later on Tuesday afternoon at 12pm she was back on court in mixed doubles.
Where she was playing with Casper Ruud for the very first time and they were very close to beating the seasoned doubles pair of Vavassori and Errani.
Despite having one walkover in Cincy Iga essentially played 4 more matches in a different city and state. Not only that but she played two matches in one day on back to back days.
Her Cincy opponent Poalini withdrew from the event to get some rest while Iga chose to honor her commitments and made it all the way to the final. Respect.
I think she did it partially to thank Casper for the lovely support he showed her on social media when she was having a really rough time (after the Bad Homburg warm up event where she lost to Pegula).
Which of course was her first final since last year's Roland Garros also her last title.
He was the only one from both tours that give a public show of support and encouragement.
After that final on the grass the title drought ended and she won Wimbledon.
So I think this was her way of paying him back for his kindness and keeping her word playing together at this event.
The mutual respect between them is turning into a lovely friendship a rare thing on the tennis tour where aside from their close knit team singles players are on their own.
I can see why Iga likes Casper (platonically of course).
Being Norwegian he's very even tempered, polite, has a great work ethic and doesn't cause drama. He also doesn't have an ego and a certain flamboyancy like so many on tour.
His game may not be the most exciting but it is very solid and gives plenty of players on tour trouble when he's in his groove.
I hope playing with Iga will help him gain the confidence to turn his season around the way his encouragement did for Iga.
As for Iga herself what better training than a match setting like this, I saw her hit so many fantastic volley's over the past few days.
Whatever else I'd say she got some hugely invaluable experience out of it. And she did seem be be having some genuine fun. I've missed seeing Iga having fun on court. So thank you Casper.
Thanks to you Iga is now a finalist in all disciplines of tennis. (singles, doubles and mixed) :)
As for the revamped Mixed Doubles Slam event itself I guess it'll remain to be seen whether it'll be successful long term, or if the novelty will wear off.
There are parts of it I like (but I think it'll always feel strange to call it Slam).
The fast 4 scoring actually works in this case, and making it the standard 6 games for the final makes sense as well.
The timing of the event will definitely need to be workshopped more because there's no way players will play the final of Cincinnati and than turn around and play in New York the following day not feasible long term.
The paring will also have to be decided upon differently not sure I like the idea of wildcards as entries (at least not so many).
And to make it fair I think there may have to be a more even ratio of doubles vs singles players.
All in all an interesting idea with some great potential, but as I said remains to be seen if it'll stick.
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