Karolina Muchová and Jakub Mensík, the Czech partnership, clinched the US Open mixed‑doubles title on Wednesday night, pocketing the $1 million prize after overcoming Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6‑3, 1‑6, [10‑6]. Their triumph was the culmination of a dramatic run that saw them battle back from a 0‑3, 5‑8 deficit in the semi‑finals and fend off two match points against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, eventually prevailing 5‑4 (8‑6), 3‑5, [11‑9] to earn a spot in the final. Dressed in coordinated pink tops and maroon shorts, the all‑Czech duo kept their eye on the prize and delivered a clutch performance in the decisive match‑tie‑breaker against the Indian‑Wells champions Bencic and Cobolli. Muchová, who suffered a heartbreaking three‑set loss to Linda Nosková in the Wimbledon final just weeks earlier, joked that their matching outfits gave them an edge.
“I really didn’t expect to be standing here,” she laughed, adding, “Thanks, Jakub, for carrying me through this event.” She continued, “We came out just to have fun and enjoy mixed doubles, and now we’re here. That means we did something right.” The pair also noted that the victory represented a strong start to the US Open for both of them. The final began with a burst of energy on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Mensík, whose serve is renowned for its power, fired an ace on set point that sealed the opening set in under 30 minutes. Bencic responded in the second set, breaking Muchová’s serve to take a 3‑1 lead, and later equalised the match when a forehand clipped the net cord and rolled past Muchová’s reach. When the match progressed to the 10‑point match‑tie‑breaker, Mensík’s aggressive serving and incisive net play gave the Czechs the momentum they needed. The 20‑year‑old delivered a crisp volley to push the lead to 8‑4, after which Muchová produced her strongest serve of the day, earning championship points.
Mensík sealed the victory with a thunderous 131‑mph ace, leaping in celebration as the pair lifted their first Grand Slam trophy of the season. Their path to the title was littered with formidable opponents. In addition to the semi‑final triumph over Andreeva and Rublev, they had dispatched Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arévalo in the opening round and overcome Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul in the quarter‑finals.
On the opposite side of the draw, Bencic and Cobolli had eliminated the husband‑and‑wife team of Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina 4‑5 (7‑9), 4‑1 [10‑5] to reach the final. The Swiss‑Italian pairing had also shocked the tournament by ousting legends Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter‑finals.
For Bencic, the final marked her first appearance in a senior‑level Grand Slam final. “We tried to play more bravely,” she reflected after the loss.
“We just really tried to enjoy the moment and believe in ourselves.” The mixed‑doubles event featured a 16‑team draw that debuted in its second year under the US Open’s revamped format. The new structure invites top singles players to compete alongside doubles specialists, aiming to boost attendance during the week preceding the main singles draws. Matches were shortened: sets were played to four games, there were no advertisements between games, and any deciding set was replaced by a 10‑point tie‑breaker. Outside of the final, the tournament’s schedule was designed for fast‑paced, spectator‑friendly action.
The format encouraged aggressive play and frequent service breaks, creating a thrilling atmosphere for fans both on‑site and watching via broadcast. The US Open’s coverage will continue on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, allowing viewers to watch without a contract.
Tennis enthusiasts can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as well. Overall, Muchová and Mensík’s victory not only earned them a substantial financial reward but also cemented their status as a rising force in mixed doubles. Their blend of powerful serving, deft net play, and unflappable composure under pressure proved decisive throughout the tournament, and their win will likely inspire more top‑ranked singles players to test their skills in mixed‑doubles competition in future Grand Slam events.