Andrea Vavassori, Sara Errani win "dream" mixed doubles title, ending Donald Young, Taylor Townsend's emotional US Open run

Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani won a "dream come true" US Open mixed doubles title on Thursday, and along the way ended the fairytale run of unseeded Americans Donald Young and Taylor Townsend at their home Grand Slam.

The No. 3 seeded team narrowly won in straight sets, triumphing 7-6 (0), 7-5 in an hour and 30 minutes inside Arthur Ashe Stadium—clinching a title that adds another milestone to an already stellar year for Italian tennis.

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Five-time women’s doubles champion Errani took home her first mixed doubles trophy with the victory, which also marked Vavassori’s first Grand Slam overall.

"It's very special. It's a dream come true for me," Vavassori said during the trophy ceremony. "Being with Sara, an amazing person, an amazing player. I always watched her during her career. It was amazing to play with her at Wimbledon and the Olympics this year…

“We did it. We won a Grand Slam! It's amazing."

Competing in only their third ever mixed doubles event, both Italians have already succeeded on the doubles court in their respective disciplines. Vavassori partnered with Simone Bolelli to reach the final at the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2024, while Errani teamed up with Jasmine Paolini to win a gold medal in women’s doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It's an incredible year for me, but also for Italy,” Errani said afterward. “Jannik (Sinner winning the Australian Open), Jasmine (in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals), Simone (and Vavassori in Australian and French Open doubles finals), me and Jasmine (winning Olympic gold in Paris), so it's a really good moment for Italy....

“We are very happy to be (part of) that moment.”

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Joy for the Italians also meant heartbreak for the Americans, as a retiring Young waved goodbye to professional tennis after falling just short of a full-circle ending.

“I can't think of a better place to go out in,” Young said, “having watched matches (here) as a kid and playing with someone I've known my whole life.”

Good friends Townsend and Young go way back, having both grown up in Atlanta. The WTA star was even coached by Young’s parents, Illona and Donald, Sr., as a child—both players eventually became No.1-ranked juniors.

“Standing here today with Donald means the world to me because he’s been in my life forever,” Townsend said on court. “I don’t honestly know if I’d be here today if it wasn’t for him and his family.”

“This isn’t the trophy that we wanted,” she added. “But at the end of the day, I’m the only Black woman left in the tournament. And ultimately, I just hope that Donald and I standing here today, Frances (Tiafoe) in the semifinals, Coco (Gauff) being the defending champion, just shows people that look like us that it’s possible.”