PARIS – Italians Sarah Ellani and Andrea Vavassoli claimed the French open-mix doubles crown on Thursday with Americans Taylor Townsend and Evan King 6-4, 6-2 wins at Philippe Chatelier.
Errani and Vavassori won their second Mixed Doubles Grand Slam title. Last year, when he defeated Townsend and her longtime ex-partner Donald Young for the first time at the US Open.
This title was seventh overall in Erani’s Grand Slam Doubles.
“Congratulations to Evan and Taylor. It was very difficult to play against you. We had to study a lot,” Eráni said. “Thanks to Andrea, to my best friend, it’s so much fun to play with you. You’re a great person and being with you is so special.”
Errani and Vavassori were tested early in the first set, but grabbed a decisive break before saving two breakpoints to secure a tight hold at 1-1, taking a 4-3 lead when Townsend sent a wide forehand.
They dialed strength in the second set, breaking two serves that Townsend broke twice before netting a volley to give the third species a dominant victory.
“It’s incredible to be in another Grand Slam Final together,” Vavassori said. “We had a great run, the US Open has made our dream come true, and we love playing together.”
The American pairing looked disjointed throughout the match, earning 25 forced errors.
“Thank you for supporting us this week and taking us there. They let us run it at Wimbledon,” said Townsend, who teamed up with King before the French Open.
Townsend’s former partner Young left the sport after an open defeat in the US to switch to pickleball play.
