Karolina Muchová and Jakub Mensík, the Czech partnership, clinched the US Open mixed‑doubles title on Wednesday night, earning a $1 million prize after overcoming Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli with a scoreline of 6‑3, 1‑6, [10‑6]. Their journey to the championship was anything but straightforward; the duo staged a dramatic comeback from a 0‑3, 5‑8 deficit in the semifinals against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, saving two match points and eventually prevailing 5‑4 (8‑6), 3‑5, [11‑9] to book their place in the final.
Wearing coordinated pink‑top, maroon‑bottom uniforms, the all‑Czech team displayed chemistry and confidence throughout the decisive tie‑break against the Indian‑Wells champions Bencic and Cobolli. After the match, Muchová laughed that their matching outfits might have given them an edge, but she quickly added a more serious note, recalling her heartbreaking three‑set loss to Linda Nosková in the Wimbledon final just weeks earlier. “I really didn’t expect to be standing here tonight,” she said.
“We came in just to have fun and enjoy mixed doubles, and now we’re champions. It feels like we did something right.” The final began with a burst of energy on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Mensík, whose powerful serve was on full display, fired an ace on set point that sealed the opening set in under thirty minutes. The momentum shifted in the second set when Bencic struck a return winner to break serve and take a 3‑1 lead.
She later equalised the match when a forehand clipped the net cord and rolled past Muchová, demonstrating the high‑quality rallying that defined the contest. When the match reached the decisive 10‑point tie‑break, Mensík’s big serves and aggressive net play gave the Czechs the advantage.
He opened the tie‑break with a crisp volley that pushed the score to 8‑4, and Muchová responded with her most effective serve of the day, setting up championship points. The climax came when Mensík unleashed a 131‑mph ace, leaping in celebration as the final point landed, securing the first Grand Slam trophy of the season for the pair.
Beyond the final, Muchová and Mensík’s path to glory included victories over several notable teams. In the first round they defeated the pairing of Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arévalo, while the quarter‑finals saw them overcome Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul. Their semifinal triumph over Andreeva and Rublev was particularly memorable, as they rallied from a two‑set deficit and survived two match points, showcasing resilience under pressure.
Bencic and Cobolli, the runners‑up, had themselves mounted an impressive run. They eliminated the husband‑and‑wife team of Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina in a tight 4‑5 (7‑9), 4‑1 [10‑5] semi‑final, and earlier in the tournament they had dispatched former world No. 1 Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter‑finals, underlining the depth of talent present in the mixed‑doubles draw. For Bencic, the appearance in the final marked her first Grand Slam final at senior level, a milestone she embraced with optimism.
“We tried to play more bravely,” she reflected after the match. “We just wanted to enjoy ourselves and believe in what we were doing.” The 2024 US Open mixed‑doubles competition featured a revamped format introduced in its second year, designed to attract larger audiences during the week preceding the main singles draws.
The 16‑team field comprised top singles players paired with doubles specialists, and matches were shortened: sets were played to four games, and any third set was decided by a 10‑point tie‑break rather than a full set. This fast‑paced structure produced high‑intensity encounters and allowed fans to witness a variety of star‑studded pairings. Outside of the championship match, the tournament’s schedule emphasized brevity and excitement.
Advertisements were eliminated from the on‑court experience, and the quick‑fire format meant that each match could be resolved in a matter of minutes, keeping spectators engaged and encouraging broadcasters to showcase more matches across their platforms. The US Open’s coverage continued on Sky Sports from August 30, with live streaming available contract‑free via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. Tennis enthusiasts could also follow highlights, full‑match replays, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content through the network’s digital services.
In addition, the Laver Cup was set to take place at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, also broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a packed schedule of elite tennis events. Overall, the Czech duo’s triumph highlighted the growing popularity and competitiveness of mixed doubles at Grand Slam events. Their victory not only brought a substantial financial reward but also demonstrated the potential for mixed‑gender partnerships to deliver thrilling, high‑quality tennis that resonates with a broad audience.
As the season progresses, both Muchová and Mensík will look to build on this success, aiming for further titles and perhaps a repeat performance at next year’s US Open.