Karolina Muchová and Jakub Mensík, the Czech partnership, clinched the US Open mixed‑doubles crown on Wednesday night, walking away with the $1 million prize purse after defeating Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6‑3, 1‑6, [10‑6]. Their victory was the culmination of a dramatic run that saw them battle back from a 3‑0, 8‑5 deficit in the semifinals, saving two match points to outlast Russia’s Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev 5‑4 (8‑6), 3‑5, [11‑9] and secure a place in the final.
The all‑Czech duo entered the championship wearing coordinated pink‑top, maroon‑bottom ensembles, a visual cue they later joked gave them an extra edge. "The matching outfit made the difference for us," Muchová quipped, recalling her recent heartbreak in the Wimbledon women’s final, where she fell in three sets to Linda Nosková.
"Honestly, I didn’t expect to be standing here tonight. We came out just to have fun and enjoy mixed doubles, and now we’re here. So we must have done something right." Muchová added that the win felt like a strong start to the US Open for both of them, emphasizing the confidence it would bring into the remainder of the tournament. Their opening set on Arthur Ashe Stadium was swift and decisive; Mensík’s powerful serve produced an ace on set point, sealing the first set in under thirty minutes.
Bencic responded in the second set, breaking Muchová’s serve with a crisp return winner to take a 3‑1 lead. The Swiss star later leveled the set when her forehand clipped the net cord and skimmed over the tape, catching Muchová off guard. However, the decisive moment arrived in the championship‑deciding ten‑point match tie‑break. Mensík’s booming serves and aggressive net play allowed the Czechs to seize momentum, building an 8‑4 advantage.
Muchová then delivered her best serve of the day, giving the pair championship points. Mensík capped the triumph with a blistering 131‑mph ace, leaping in celebration as the first Grand Slam trophy of the season was hoisted. Beyond the final, the Czech champions navigated a challenging draw. In the first round they dispatched the team of Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arévalo, while the quarter‑finals saw them overcome Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul.
Their semifinal comeback against Andreeva and Rublev was a testament to resilience, as they survived two match points and turned a seemingly insurmountable deficit into a victory. Bencic and Cobolli, the runners‑up, had themselves fought a gritty battle to reach the final.
They eliminated the husband‑and‑wife pair of Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina 4‑5 (7‑9), 4‑1, [10‑5] and had previously stunned the crowd by ousting legends Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter‑finals. For Bencic, the mixed‑doubles final marked her first appearance in a senior Grand Slam final, a milestone she described as a result of playing bravely and enjoying the moment. The 2024 mixed‑doubles competition featured a revamped format introduced in its second year, designed to attract larger audiences during the week preceding the singles main draw.
The 16‑team field consisted of high‑profile singles players paired with doubles specialists, and matches were shortened: sets were played to four games, there were no advertisements between games, and any deciding third set was replaced by a ten‑point tie‑breaker. This streamlined approach created fast‑paced, high‑energy contests that kept spectators engaged. The US Open, broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, also offers streaming options without a contract through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, ensuring fans can follow every rally, highlight, and post‑match interview.
In addition to the mixed‑doubles final, viewers can enjoy other marquee events, such as the Laver Cup at London’s O₂ Arena later in September, also available on Sky Sports. Muchová’s triumph in New York not only adds a lucrative prize to her résumé but also restores confidence after her Wimbledon disappointment. Mensík, only 20, demonstrated poise beyond his years, delivering clutch serves and decisive volleys when it mattered most. Their partnership, underscored by matching attire and mutual trust, exemplifies how chemistry and perseverance can turn a fun‑filled entry into a championship‑winning campaign.
As the tournament progresses, the Czech pair will look to translate this mixed‑doubles success into their singles and women’s/men’s doubles draws, while the rest of the field watches keenly, aware that the new format can produce unexpected heroes and memorable moments. The $1 million prize underscores the growing stature of mixed doubles at Grand Slam events, rewarding players who embrace the format’s excitement and showcase the sport’s inclusive spirit.