The highly anticipated US Open mixed doubles event has now concluded, with Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori winning the title.
Tennis fans had mixed feelings about the US Open mixed doubles tournament this year, which featured many high-profile singles players coming together.
But it was the regular pairing of doubles players Errani and Vavassori who emerged victorious in New York, successfully defending their title.
They defeated Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the US Open mixed doubles final, winning 6-3, 5-7, [10-6] at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Errani and Vavassori criticised the US Open after the new format was announced, which involved 16 teams battling it out for a $1million prize.
US Open urged to make mixed doubles rule change next year
Eight teams were determined by singles rankings, with the other eight chosen by the US Tennis Association.
And now that it has concluded with Errani and Vavassori as champions, their fellow doubles player Jan Zielinski has called for an immediate rule change.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz exchange messages on Instagram after their US Open doubles match
He wrote on X: “Doubles on TOP! Statement made! Forza Italia! How about allowing more doubles specialists next time to spice it up? Let’s not make it too easy for Vava and Sara!”
Rennae Stubbs spots what singles players did wrong in US Open mixed doubles
Zielinski didn’t get a US Open invite, despite the Pole having won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in his career so far.
It was indeed Errani and Vavassori who represented the only doubles specialists, although a handful of other players do have major experience in that area.
Venus Williams, Mirra Andreeva and Taylor Townsend all fall into that category, but all failed to enjoy lengthy runs in New York.
Sharing her verdict on one of the champions, former doubles number one Rennae Stubbs wrote on X: “Vavassori is the ultimate net pest and the singles players are falling for it. How hard can I hit it instead of how smart can I be.
“A lob, a high looping return over him, anything BUT crushing and missing returns on an 80-mile-an-hour serve… Not one time have they tried a lob!”
Swiatek and Ruud certainly challenged the doubles specialists as they pushed them all the way, but the singles duo fell just short.
The champions won after one hour and 32 minutes of action, with fans certain to have left delighted after such an exciting encounter.
Errani and Vavassori certainly deserve plenty of credit for their success, having been under real pressure to perform given their status as the only recognised doubles pairing.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
