Italian pair Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have accomplished their "mission" by winning the US Open mixed doubles title for the second straight year.
In the controversially rejigged and reduced format, featuring just 16 pairings across a two-day carnival at Flushing Meadows, the defending US and Wimbledon champions said they were "on a mission" to prove the unique and skill of doubles experts.
And, in a field featuring singles superstars like Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz, they pulled it off with a 6-3, 5-7, (10-6) win over six-time major singles winner Iga Swiatek and three-time grand slam singles finalist Casper Ruud.
"You proved mixed doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players, I guess," Swiatek said.
"We pushed to the end and tried to make it competitive. It was a pleasure to share a court with you."
All four finalists thanked organisers for trying something new, with the format undeniably bringing more star power, fans and focus to the event.
"It was fun for us and I hope it was funs for the fans," Ruud said.
Vavassori said they showed "doubles is a great product" and he hoped this year's tournament could generate more marketing and visibility, with prize money jumping from $US200,000 to $US1 million from 2024 to 2025.
In front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, Vavassori served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but could not complete the hold, and Swiatek then played a superb return game to break again to send the match to a 10-point tiebreak to decide the title.
The Italians jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but Swiatek and Ruud, who came back from 8-4 down in a tiebreak to win their semifinal, staged another fightback and got back to that exact same point after Swiatek double-faulted at 4-7.
Vavassori got them to match point at 9-5 with a glorious backhand volley on top of the net and, after Errani's underarm serve on an ultimately unsuccessful match point, the Italians came out on top as Swiatek could not handle a half volley from a searing Vavassori forehand.
The defending champions were only entered in the event as wildcards and clearly felt the pressure of playing for every doubles specialist, with Errani crying as she celebrated her ninth grand slam doubles title (six women's, three mixed).
The match finished at midnight on a Wednesday, local time, and the stands of centre court in New York were still riding every moment of the exciting match.
"Thanks to the crowd [for] waiting," Errani said.
"Playing in front of you is so special, you are amazing. Playing with all these people is incredible for us.
"We really appreciate it, thanks for coming and waiting until late night. It was amazing."
Singles qualifying washed out as rain persists in New York
Persistent rain in New York on Wednesday, local time, washed out the day's qualification matches for the men's and women's singles draw.
Across 14 matches, six men's and eight women's, none were able to be completed as just 45 minutes of playing time was possible before the downpour.
Australian teen Emerson Jones leads 5-4 in the first set against Brazilian Laura Pigossi.
Fellow Australian Astra Sharma claimed the first set against Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva from Andorra. When play resumes, Sharma will lead 6-2, 2-1.
