Karolina Muchová and Jakub Mensík, the Czech partnership, triumphed over Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli with a 6‑3, 1‑6, [10‑6] scoreline to capture the US Open mixed‑doubles title and the $1 million prize on Wednesday night. Their victory was the culmination of a dramatic run that saw them battle back from early deficits, survive match points, and ultimately dominate the final tie‑break. The journey to the championship began in the opening round when Muchová and Mensík faced the Russian duo Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev. After falling behind 3‑0 and later 8‑5, the Czechs displayed remarkable resilience, saving two match points and turning the tide to win 5‑4 (8‑6), 3‑5 [11‑9].
Their comeback set the tone for the tournament, showcasing a blend of powerful serving, aggressive net play, and unshakable belief. Throughout the week, the pair wore coordinated pink‑top, maroon‑bottom ensembles, a visual cue they later joked helped them stay synchronized on court. Muchová, still smarting from a three‑set loss to Linda Nosková in the Wimbledon final, admitted she hadn’t expected to be standing on the US Open podium.
"I wasn’t really expecting to be here tonight. We came out just to have fun and enjoy mixed doubles, and now we’re here.
So we did something right," she said, crediting Mensík for his support throughout the event. In the semifinal, the Czech team met the Indian‑Wells champions, Andreeva and Rublev, again proving their mettle. A tight contest saw them edge out the Russians in a decisive match tie‑break, reinforcing their reputation as clutch performers under pressure. The final against Bencic and Cobolli unfolded on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Mensík opened the match with a blistering ace on set point, sealing the first set in under 30 minutes. Bencic responded in the second set, breaking Muchová’s serve to take a 3‑1 lead and later leveling the set when her forehand clipped the net cord and rolled past the Czech’s reach. However, the momentum shifted back to the Czechs as they forced a ten‑point match tie‑break. During the tie‑break, Mensík’s booming serve and incisive net work gave the Czechs a commanding 8‑4 advantage.
Muchová followed with her strongest serve of the night, pushing the pair to championship points. The climax arrived when Mensík unleashed a 131‑mph ace, sealing the victory and prompting a jubilant leap of celebration. The win marked the first Grand Slam trophy of the season for the duo.
Beyond the final, Muchová and Mensík’s road to glory included victories over seasoned pairings such as Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arévalo in the opening round and the American team of Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul in the quarter‑finals. Their semifinal opponents, Bencic and Cobolli, had themselves produced a stunning upset earlier in the tournament, eliminating the powerhouse duo of Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter‑finals. For Bencic, the US Open represented her inaugural senior‑level Grand Slam final appearance.
She reflected on the match, saying, "We tried to play more bravely, to enjoy the moment and believe in ourselves." Despite the loss, her performance highlighted the growing depth of mixed‑doubles talent on the tour. The 2024 mixed‑doubles draw featured 16 star‑studded teams and introduced a revamped format designed to attract larger audiences during the week preceding the singles main draw. Matches were shortened, with sets played to four games and decisive third sets replaced by ten‑point tie‑breaks, creating fast‑paced, high‑energy contests without commercial interruptions. The tournament’s new structure, emphasizing leading singles players partnering in mixed doubles, succeeded in delivering memorable moments and dramatic comebacks, as evidenced by the Czech pair’s run.
Their coordinated outfits, resilient mindset, and powerful serving arsenal made them a fan favourite and ultimately the champions. The US Open will continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available contract‑free via NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Tennis enthusiasts can also look forward to the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London, scheduled for 25‑27 September, which will also be shown on Sky Sports.