NEW DELHI: Laura Siegemund and Edouard Roger-Vasselin secured their first mixed doubles title together at the French Open on Thursday, defeating Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski 6-4, 7-5.
For Siegemund, the victory marked her second mixed doubles Grand Slam crown, adding to her impressive career achievements. Meanwhile, Roger-Vasselin celebrated his maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam title, making the win particularly special as it occurred on home turf.
"This was a last minute thing, I didn't want to play mixed (doubles) here because I was in the singles and doubles also," Siegemund said at the trophy presentation ceremony.
"Then Edouard texted me two hours before the deadline... I always wanted to play with him but it was somehow not working out.
"Then I was like, 'I can't say no'. Now he's finally free, he wants to play so I think it was a good decision!"
In the match, the number two seeds Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin swiftly took control by breaking in the opening game and securing a 2-0 lead.
Despite efforts from Skupski and Krawczyk to stage a comeback with crucial winners, the German-French pair maintained their momentum and teamwork. They clinched the first set when Siegemund executed a decisive cross-court winner at the net.
Heading into the second set, Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin capitalized on Krawczyk's serve, breaking to love in the third game to establish a 2-1 lead and maintain their advantage.
At 4-2, Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin continued to exploit Krawczyk's struggles on serve, placing Skupski in challenging positions at the net.
Despite Krawczyk, a four-time Grand Slam mixed doubles winner, managing to hold her serve, Skupski eventually helped them break for the first time in the match, letting out a loud roar after smashing a winner at the net.
With the score tied at 4-4 in the second set, Krawczyk missed a crucial shot at the net, giving Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin the decisive break. Although the British-American pair saved a championship point on Roger-Vasselin's serve, Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin targeted Krawczyk's serve once more and broke through, with Siegemund winning key points at the net.
Finally, Siegemund held her serve to secure their first Grand Slam title together, as Skupski's shot found the net on championship point.
(With Reuters inputs)
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