Czech duo Muchova and Mensik win US Open mixed doubles title

Muchova, Mensik defeat Bencic, Cobolli in final. Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik captured the US Open mixed doubles championship Wednesday night, defeating Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 1-6, 10-6 in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, BBC Sport reports.

The Czech pair won their first career Grand Slam title in any event, sharing the $1 million prize after a close battle with the Swiss-Italian tandem.

Mensik closed out the title with an ace on the Czechs’ third championship point. Muchova and Mensik previously came from a set down to save two match points in the semifinal against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev before winning the last four points in the decisive match tiebreak to qualify.

The duo, which hadn’t competed with each other before the start of the tournament, had turned heads with their matching pink tops and maroon bottoms. “I think that is what it comes down to – the matching outfits made us win,” Muchova said at the trophy ceremony with a smile.

She added that entering the event was “just for fun”.

“It’s my first time standing here. I didn’t expect this before the tournament, but it’s great fun,” Mensik said. This year’s revamped 16-team mixed doubles event took place the week before the US Open.

Open singles play began, with faster matches and increased prize money, hoping to lure many of the stars of the singles draw.