Karolina Muchová and Jakub Mensik, the Czech partnership, triumphed over Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli with a scoreline of 6‑3, 1‑6, [10‑6] to capture the US Open mixed‑doubles title and the accompanying $1 million prize on Wednesday evening. Their victory was the culmination of a dramatic run that saw them overcome significant deficits and fend off match points on their way to the championship. In the semi‑finals, the Czech duo found themselves trailing 3‑0 and later 8‑5 against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.
Demonstrating resilience, they clawed back to win the set 5‑4 (8‑6) and then survived two match points before sealing the encounter 3‑5, [11‑9]. This gritty comeback propelled them into the final, where they faced the Indian Wells champions Bencic and Cobolli. Both players entered the final in coordinated pink‑top, maroon‑bottom uniforms, a visual cue they later joked gave them an edge. "The matching outfit made the difference for us," Muchová laughed, recalling her recent disappointment in the Wimbledon final, where she fell to Linda Nosková in three sets.
"Honestly, I didn’t expect to be standing here. Thanks, Jakub, for carrying me through this event. We came out just to have fun and enjoy mixed doubles, and now we’re here.
It means we did something right." Muchová added, "I think this is a really good start to the US Open for all of us," highlighting the confidence the win provides as the tournament progresses. The final began swiftly on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Mensik, whose powerful serve was on full display, delivered an ace on set point that clinched the opening 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.
She later leveled the set when her forehand clipped the net cord and skimmed over the tape, catching Muchová off guard. When the match reached the decisive 10‑point tie‑break, Mensik’s serving prowess and aggressive net play turned the tide.
He opened an 8‑4 lead with a firm volley, and Muchová followed with her strongest serve of the night, earning championship points. The climax came when Mensik fired a 131‑mph ace, leaping in celebration as the trophy was secured – the first Grand Slam title of the season for the pair.
Throughout the tournament, the Czechs dispatched several notable opponents. In the opening round they beat Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arévalo, while the quarter‑finals saw them overcome Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul. Their semi‑final victory over Andreeva and Rublev was perhaps the most dramatic, as they saved two match points before prevailing.
Bencic and Cobolli, meanwhile, had their own impressive journey. They eliminated the husband‑and‑wife team of Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina in a tight 4‑5 (7‑9), 4‑1 [10‑5] match to reach the final. The Swiss‑Italian pair had also stunned the tournament earlier by ousting Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter‑finals, marking a rare double‑up of top‑seeded singles stars in mixed doubles.
For Bencic, the final represented her first Grand Slam final appearance at the senior level. "We tried to play more bravely," she reflected after the loss. "We just really tried to enjoy and believe." The 2024 mixed doubles draw featured 16 teams and was introduced in its second year of a revamped format designed to attract larger audiences during the week preceding the main singles draw.
The new structure shortened sets to four games, eliminated advertisements, and used a 10‑point match tie‑breaker as the decisive third set. These changes aimed to increase excitement and keep matches concise for spectators.
Beyond the final, the US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30. Fans can stream matches without a contract via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, and the tournament’s highlights, videos, and best shots are readily available online.
The mixed doubles competition, while often overshadowed by singles, showcased a blend of seasoned doubles specialists and top singles players, delivering memorable moments and a fresh narrative for tennis enthusiasts. In summary, Muchová and Mensik’s victory not only earned them a substantial financial reward but also highlighted the growing appeal of mixed doubles at Grand Slam events. Their coordinated attire, tenacious comebacks, and powerful serving displayed a combination of style and substance that resonated with fans worldwide.
As the US Open moves deeper into its schedule, the Czech pair’s triumph sets a high bar for the remaining competitions and adds a vibrant chapter to the tournament’s storied history.