Routliffe and Dabrowski Claim Second US Open Doubles Title

New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and her Canadian partner Gabby Dabrowski triumphed at the 2024 US Open, defeating the top-seeded duo of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova with a score of 6-4, 6-4. This victory marks the pair’s second Grand Slam title, following their previous win at the same event in 2022 against Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva.

Entering the tournament as the No. 3 seeds, Routliffe and Dabrowski faced formidable opponents who had recently secured victory at the Australian Open earlier this year. Despite the pressure, the duo showcased exceptional coordination at Arthur Ashe Stadium, managing to save five of the seven break points they encountered.

The final match saw Townsend and Siniakova struggle to find their rhythm. In a crucial moment while serving to stay in the match at 4-5, Townsend committed two double faults, which shifted momentum. Routliffe capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a stunning backhand winner on the penultimate point. Townsend’s subsequent shot went beyond the baseline, sealing the win for Routliffe and Dabrowski.

The pair celebrated their victory with evident joy, embracing on the court before engaging in a lively dance around the baseline, reflecting the thrill of their achievement. This win not only adds to their trophy cabinet but also represents their third title of the year, following successes at the Stuttgart Open in April and the Cincinnati Open earlier this month.

During the trophy ceremony, Routliffe expressed her gratitude towards Dabrowski, highlighting their long-standing partnership. “I’d like to thank Gaby,” Routliffe said. “We’ve had a long partnership so far and I’m so grateful to you. We won our first slam here two years ago, and so to win it again two years later is so exciting. I’m very happy that I get to play with you.”

In response, Dabrowski remarked, “What a wild ride. We’ve been through so much together, I feel extremely grateful to be standing alongside you as a champion today.” The victory comes with a significant financial reward, as the pair will share a prize of NZ$1.7 million.

With this win, Routliffe ascends to No. 3 in the world doubles rankings, surpassing Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, the duo they eliminated in the semifinals. They join an elite group as only the fifth women’s team in the Open era to secure multiple US Open doubles titles, alongside legends such as Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver.

The final concluded a thrilling women’s doubles competition, highlighted by the unexpected performance of 45-year-old Venus Williams, who captivated audiences with her run to the quarter-finals. In a closing remark, Townsend acknowledged the support of the crowd, stating, “This is probably one of the better crowds I’ve had for a doubles final, so thank you for supporting us.”

As the tennis season progresses, Routliffe and Dabrowski’s victory at the US Open solidifies their status as a formidable team on the international stage.