Mensik & Muchova win US Open mixed doubles

Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik saved two match points to win the US Open mixed doubles title and $1m in prize money

Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik won the US Open mixed doubles title, saving two match points on their way to the championship. They defeated Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the final, winning 6-3 1-6 10-6, with Mensik hitting a 131mph ace on a third championship point to seal the victory.

The pair's win came after they saved match points in their semi-final against Andrey Rublev and Mirra Andreeva, and it is a first Grand Slam title for both players. Muchova, 30, has been out of action since undergoing a small surgery, and Mensik, 20, had never played mixed doubles before. Despite his inexperience, Mensik's serve was a key factor in their success.

The Final Match Mensik and

Muchova's victory in the final was a thrilling one, with the pair coming from behind to win. Bencic and Cobolli had won their semi-final against Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, denying them the opportunity to become the first married couple to win a Grand Slam mixed doubles title since 1939. Monfils is retiring at the end of the season, so they will not have another chance to achieve this feat.

The semi-finals were decided by a 10-point tie-break, with Bencic and Cobolli winning the first 10-5 against Svitolina and Monfils. Mensik and Muchova then held off Andreeva and Rublev in the second semi-final, winning 5-4 (8-6) 3-5 11-9. All eight semi-finalists will be contesting the US Open singles main draw, which gets under way on Sunday, and fans can check the fixtures for the latest schedules and results.

The Mixed Doubles Format

The mixed doubles format has been reimagined in recent years, with the introduction of a qualifying competition and a new format for the semi-finals and final. The semi-finals and final are now played under the lights in the night session, ensuring a much bigger television audience. The prize pot for the men's and women's doubles has also jumped significantly, and fans can check the stats for more information on the prize money and tournament format.

The mixed doubles is just one part of an ever-expanding 'Fan Week' at the US Open, which includes exhibitions and concerts. Roger Federer featured in an exhibition with Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, and Andy Roddick, and Amanda Anisimova and Alexandra Eala were among the cast for the 'Stars of the Open'. The Lumineers officially kicked off the US Open with a gig inside the Louis Armstrong Stadium, and fans can check the standings for the latest updates on the tournament.

Mensik and Muchova's win is a significant one, and they will be looking to build on their success in the US Open singles main draw. Fans can check the squad pages for more information on the players and their teams, and the injuries page for updates on any injuries or withdrawals. With the tournament just getting under way, there is still much to come from the US Open, and fans will be eagerly following the action over the coming days.

Source: BBC Sport