Errani and Vavassori claim Roland-Garros mixed title

With the win, Errani and Vavassori became the first Italian mixed doubles champions in Paris since 1958 as they claimed their second major mixed doubles title in less than a year, along with last year’s US Open crown. 

Chatrier in all its glory

On a cool, cloudy afternoon, fans crowded into the lower bowl of the 15,000 capacity show court to create a festive atmosphere. There were plenty of moments that brought them out of their seats.

One of the longest and most compelling rallies in Thursday's final set the tone in the seventh game of the opening set, as Olympic women’s doubles gold medallist Errani finished the point with a sizzling smash down the middle that just eluded King’s racket.

A few exchanges later, Errani and Vavassori scored the first break of the match as Townsend’s attempt at an inside-out forehead winner just barely missed the line in a deciding point at 3-3.

It was a special day for King and Townsend despite the loss. The pair of Chicago natives teamed up for the first time at Roland-Garros, and saved three match points to defeat Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski to reach the final. 

The Americans were bidding to become the first all-American team to win a mixed major since Bob Bryan and Bethanie Mattek-Sands won Roland-Garros in 2015. 

“We’re running it back at Wimbledon, so we’re going to try again,” two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Townsend told the crowd, adding: “This means a lot to me personally because Evan and I grew up on the south side of Chicago. I hope that us standing here is inspiration to know that you can do it, and it’s possible no matter where you come from.” 

Thirty-three-year-old King, who is also into his first men’s doubles Grand Slam semi-final with partner Christian Harrison, saved three set points on his serve to prolong the opening set, but Vavassori calmly stepped to the line and delivered an uncomplicated hold to close out the first set in 42 minutes. 

A light rain started to fall at the beginning of the second set, but it didn’t slow the progress of the Italian team. Errani and Vavassori, playing pitch-perfect tennis, parlayed their momentum into a third consecutive break and a 1-0 lead to open the second set. 

The floodgates looked to be open, but a clutch hold by Townsend, who rallied her team from 0-2 love-40 down and sealed the game with an epic sequence at the net, kept hope alive. 

The crowd was at its loudest in that moment, but the American fightback proved to be a temporary reprieve.

The Italians showed their class down the stretch, racing away with the final three games to lock up the title. 

“Congrats to Evan and Taylor it was so tough to play against you, we had to study a lot,” 38-year-old Errani, who is also into the women’s doubles semi-finals with Jasmine Paolini, said at the podium.

“And thanks to Andrea, to my best friend, it’s so much fun to play with you, you did an incredible tournament. 

“So many people here to see mixed doubles is so good, thanks to the tournament. Let’s see if I will see you next year – let’s hope.”