WHAT HAPPENED: The Italian team of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are one match away from capturing the US Open Mixed Doubles title for the second year in a row, defeating Americans Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison in their semifinal match, 4-2, 4-2.
The duo are the defending champs here, having won the mixed title in 2024. Earlier this year, they likewise captured the mixed doubles crown at Roland Garros. By contrast, the American team was tapped to play just before the competition started after the team of Jannik Sinner and Katerina Siniakova were forced to withdraw after Sinner took ill. Although the two Americans are friends, they’ve never before competed together as a team.
The first set opened with a break of Harrison’s serve thanks to the Italians’ winning ways at the net. They consolidated the break with a fast hold and at the six-minute mark, the Americans were down 2-0. Collins’ softer serve had been a mixed blessing in prior matches—in the mid-70-mile-per-hour range, it flummoxed big returners like Ben Shelton, for one. But she managed to hold, which brought up Errani, another soft server, to try her luck. She, too, held.
The fast format meant that Harrison was serving again at the contest’s 14-minute mark, down 3-1. He’d fend off two set points to win the game but Vavassori served next—quickly and convincingly, holding at 40-0. First set to the Italians, 4-2.
The Americans looked more aggressive in the second set, swarming the net and drilling volleys into the corners. But their opponents stifled the assault and in the third game, Collins lost her serve at love. Again, the Americans were down a break. In the next game, Errani served with a break point against her and when her partner’s backhand volley sailed long, the set was back on serve.
The best point of the match ended the next game with a thrilling cat-and-mouse drama that had all four players at the net, retrieving impossible angles to keep the ball in play. After that, it was Vavassori’s turn to serve and he looked cool and casual, holding at love. With a triple match point, the Italians closed it out at the 40-minute mark with a set score of 4-2.
MATCH POINT: Next up, the Italians will battle No. 3 seeds Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud for the championship title—and the $1 million prize purse.
