WHAT HAPPENED: Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko will leave New York with new silverware, having claimed the 2024 US Open women's doubles title, 6-4, 6-3, over Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.
The No. 7 seeds, runners-up at the Australian Open earlier this season, conjured up the perfect fortnight without dropping a set on the path to glory.
It will be an extra special celebration for Kichenok and her life partner Stanislav Khmarsky, who is also Ostapenko’s coach.
“My boyfriend—could be husband actually, because we were meant to get married on Wednesday, but it didn’t happen. It’s still on,” revealed Kichenok.
“I still have goosebumps after match point. It feels amazing. I’m blessed to have such a partner by my side on the court, thanks for carrying me these two weeks Jelena!
“Every time I’m on the court, I want to dedicate my wins to the people of Ukraine. They are fighting really hard for our freedom right now. I just hope I can give them some encouragement, my heart is with them.”
The Ukrainian-Latvian combination made a red-hot start. Kichenok's forehand approach and cut-away volley enabled Ostapenko to unleash an inside-out forehand winner over her ducking partner as the highlight for a 3-0 break lead.
France’s Mladenovic and China’s Zhang weathered that early storm and immense reaction volleys and plenty of angles helped turn the tables. With sharp, alert play and by recognising patterns of play to stay one step ahead, the unseeded duo managed to restore parity at 4-4 with half an hour on the clock.
That momentum gained serious pace when Mladenovic and Zhang adapted mid-rally to flip defense into attack in style for a break point. Ostapenko's searing serve and Kichenok's shot selection ultimately staved off five break points in a monster 13-minute hold for the Latvian.
With the heat on a 30-30, Kichenok switched up the power play to float a backhand lob over Zhang and then an untimely double fault from the Chinesewoman sent the No. 7 seeds to the sitdown with a set up.
In the second set, exemplary handskills and a return of the highest order from Mladenovic provided an immediate break as it was their turn to move 3-1 ahead.
Ostapenko drilled a series of forehands and Zhang was forced to overpress as the deficit was erased. Serving for the trophy, a video review ruled Kichenok had struck the ball twice during a volley at their third championship point, but undeterred, the No. 7 seeds rattled through five games in a row for their major moment on their fourth match point.
“It feels just amazing. The atmosphere has been amazing. New York is such a special city to come and play [in],” said Ostapenko. “I think we are such a great team. It was an amazing two weeks. We didn’t expect anything, we just got better and better each match.
“Thanks to my team for always supporting us. It’s not an easy job. I think it’s a good excuse for them to postpone it a bit and win the US Open—now get married [Kichenok and Khmarsky]. It’s pretty great!”
WHAT IT MEANS: Ostapenko, Top 20 in singles and doubles, now has a doubles Grand Slam title to accompany the 2017 Roland Garros singles silverware in her trophy cabinet. As for Kichenkok, the doubles world No. 18 also has a second major trophy, after lifting the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2023 alongside Mate Pavic.
MATCH POINT: Scrolling through their past activity, Kichenok and Ostapenko first teamed up on the ITF circuit back in July 2013. Over in Imola, Italy, they actually won the tournament, but didn't play together again until 2018.
It wasn't until 2022 that the Ukrainian-Latvian duo truly combined and over the past three years they've become formidable opponents. With major glory in Flushing Meadows, they have passed a century of wins together with a team record of 103-58 and counting.
