In a remarkable display of talent and resilience, Gabriela Dabrowski from Canada, alongside her partner Erin Routliffe of New Zealand, secured their second US Open doubles title in three years. The duo clinched victory against top seeds Katerina Siniakova of Czechia and Taylor Townsend from the USA in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-4 in the final held at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.
Reflecting on their partnership, Dabrowski expressed immense gratitude: “It’s been an absolutely crazy journey. We’ve gone through so much, and to stand here today as champions means the world to me. Thank you for sticking by me, Erin, and thank you for all the support.” Routliffe echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their love for New York and appreciation for the enthusiastic crowd that came out to support women’s doubles.
The final marked the end of a promising but bittersweet run for Townsend, who was on the verge of achieving her third Grand Slam title alongside Siniakova. The pair had entered the match without dropping a set throughout the tournament, establishing a sense of invincibility.
For Dabrowski, this triumph is especially meaningful, coming on the heels of her battle with breast cancer, which saw her undergoing surgeries and treatment while continuing to compete. Her journey back to the top of the sport is marked by sheer determination, as she previously made sacrifices in her medical treatments to participate in prestigious events like Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics.
Siniakova and Townsend, both highly decorated players, came into the final as defending champions of Wimbledon and the Australian Open, bringing their formidable doubles synergy to the court. However, they faced unexpected challenges as they battled against the sharp reflexes and strategic play of Dabrowski and Routliffe.
The match began with both teams holding their serves until a pivotal moment where Dabrowski and Routliffe seized a break point on Townsend’s serve. After a brief exchange of breaks, Dabrowski and Routliffe took the first set, showcasing their ability to capitalize on mistakes from their opponents.
In the second set, the momentum swayed again as Siniakova and Townsend clawed back to tie the set at 4-all after a thrilling 18-point game that included brilliant shots and immense crowd engagement. However, the third seeds held their nerve, closing the match with precision and determination, culminating in a final error from Townsend that sealed their victory.
This win not only adds another Grand Slam title to their impressive resume but also helps to symbolize perseverance over adversity for Dabrowski and Routliffe. They celebrated their victory, which comes after a series of significant personal and athletic challenges, including injuries that sidelined both players earlier this season.
With their win at the US Open, Dabrowski and Routliffe’s doubles ranking will see a significant boost, moving them closer to the top of the PIF WTA Doubles Rankings. Routliffe will rise to No. 3, while Dabrowski will be positioned at No. 4, just a hair’s breadth from her career best. They are also set to defend their title at the WTA Finals in Riyadh later this year, an event where their partnership truly blossomed last season.
Siniakova and Townsend will retain their No. 1 and No. 2 positions in the rankings, respectively, as they prepare for their next challenges on the tennis circuit. As the dust settles on an exhilarating US Open, the narrative of resilience is perhaps the most inspiring story to emerge from this year’s tournament.
