Erin Routliffe, Gaby Dabrowski win US Open

Erin Routliffe and Gaby Dabrowski are the 2023 US Open women’s doubles champions.

In the final on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday they defeated Vera Zvonareva and Laura Siegemund 7-6 (9) 6-3.

Routliffe has become just the second New Zealand female to win a grand slam, following Judy Connor-Chaloner, who won the women’s doubles at the Australian Open in 1979.

Routliffe will pick up US$350,000 (NZ$593,000) of prize money for the biggest win of her career.

It was a tight battle in the first set, with no breaks of serves in it, although Routliffe did have to save five break points on her serve.

In the tiebreak, Zvonareva and Siegemund went down two mini breaks early on, but they managed to get both of them back.

Dabrowski had a nasty fall when changing direction at the net when up 5-4, but fortunately for the Canadian the ball went out, giving her and Routliffe two set points.

But neither of them could be converted and the tiebreak continued

At 8-8 Routliffe double faulted, but on the set point Zvonareva hit an easy put away into the net. It turned out to be a costly mistake and so too was the overhead smash overhit by Siegemund at 9-10 to give away the opening set.

Routliffe and Dabrowski won the first three games of the second set before Routliffe was broken.

But Dabrowski had a solid service game soon after to take the pair up 4-2 and keep control of the momentum. Then when Zvonareva was serving at 3-5, the pressure went on again as she fell behind 15-40.

Although the first championship point was saved, the 39-year-old Russian put a backhand wide on the second of them.

Routliffe and Dabrowski immediately congratulated each other, barely able to believe what they’ve achieved.

They have only been a team since August, yet already have won a grand slam and created history with each other.

In her on-court speech at the trophy presentation, Routliffe thanked the fans who had come along to watch the final and Dabrowski for agreeing to partner up with her.

"Thank you guys for coming to watch today, this was so much fun today to play in front of all of you," Routliffe said.

"We really appreciate it. Doubles is sometimes not the most watched, but we really appreciate you guys coming to watch and cheer for us.

"We had an amazing time, so thank you so much.

"Thanks to Gaby for playing with me. She really took a chance on me and I really appreciate and love her for it. 

"Obviously, I hope we can have many great results to come in the future."