Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend have completed a career doubles Grand Slam as a pairing, their US Open triumph giving them titles at all four major championships. The top seeds recovered from a first-set loss to beat American wildcards Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery 5-7 6-0 6-2 in New York, sealing a milestone partnership achievement.
The match opened badly for the favourites when Siniakova double-faulted three times in the decisive game of the first set, leaving Krueger and Montgomery a 7-5 lead. Siniakova and Townsend then dominated the second set, winning 23 of the next 27 points after the opening game, to force a deciding third set.
In the final set the duo converted an early break and consolidated to move 3-1 ahead, then closed out the victory without further slip-ups. Before the final they had progressed through the tournament without dropping a set, a run that underlined their form heading into the title match.
For Siniakova the US Open success is her 12th Grand Slam doubles crown, a tally that places her among only eight women to reach at least 12 doubles majors in the Open era. She also becomes the first player to complete the career doubles Grand Slam with two different partners, having already achieved the set of majors alongside Barbora Krejcikova.
Townsend, also 30, adds a first US Open doubles title to her record after she and Siniakova were beaten in last year’s final by Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe. Their partnership’s run now includes Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the French Open wins cited among their major successes.
The result also leaves a possible ranking milestone on the horizon. If Siniakova finishes the season as the world number one in doubles, it would mark a sixth year-end top ranking and move her past Martina Navratilova for the most year-end finishes at number one in WTA history.
