Routliffe cements place in NZ tennis history with second US Open triumph

Erin Routliffe has struck gold in New York again, winning the US Open women’s doubles title for the second time in three years alongside Canadian partner Gaby Dabrowski.

The pair produced a commanding display in Saturday’s (NZ time) final, defeating top seeds Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-4.

The victory earned them a US$1 million (NZ$1.7m) payday, which they’ll split, and lifted Routliffe to No 3 in the world doubles rankings, leapfrogging Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini – the duo they had ousted in the semifinals.

It is their second Grand Slam crown together, following their breakthrough triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2023. They are now just the fifth women’s team in the Open era to win multiple US Open doubles titles, joining the likes of Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver.

Despite facing the tournament’s top seeds, Routliffe and Dabrowski always looked the stronger team. Their aggressive returning and crisp volleys unsettled Siniaková and Townsend, while their own serving held up under pressure.

The first breakthrough came midway through the opening set when Siniaková was broken for 2-3. Dabrowski faced a tense moment in the following game but Routliffe’s sharp volley snuffed out the only break point against them. Soon after, Siniaková dropped serve again, handing the set to the Kiwi-Canadian duo.

Townsend faltered early in the second set, broken in the sunshine as she struggled to deal with Routliffe’s lobs. Although Dabrowski’s double fault at 3-1 briefly handed the top seeds a lifeline, Routliffe and Dabrowski refused to let momentum slip.

Serving to stay in the match at 4-5, Townsend felt the pressure, delivering a pair of double faults. Routliffe then lashed a cross-court winner to set up championship point, which ended with Townsend sending a lob long.

The pair collapsed into a hug before bouncing around the baseline, relishing their second triumph in New York.

During the trophy ceremony, Routliffe paid tribute to her partner and their enduring partnership.

“I’d like to thank Gaby,” she 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.”

With another Grand Slam title secured, Routliffe cements her status as one of New Zealand’s most successful tennis players, continuing a remarkable rise that began with her 2023 breakthrough.