PkRevenue.com – Laura Siegemund and Edouard Roger-Vasselin emerged triumphant at Roland-Garros, claiming their first-ever Grand Slam title together.
On Thursday, the German-French duo triumphed in the mixed doubles final, defeating fourth seeds Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski.
This win marked a historic moment for Roger-Vasselin, who, at 40 years old, became the first French player to claim the Roland-Garros mixed doubles title since Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram’s victory 17 years ago.
Siegemund, a seasoned player with previous mixed doubles and women’s doubles titles, proved to be a formidable partner throughout the hour and 40-minute match.
Recalling the spontaneous decision, Siegemund shared, “I initially wasn’t planning on playing mixed doubles here since I was already competing in singles and doubles. But then Edouard contacted me just two hours before the deadline. I had always wanted to play with him, and when the opportunity finally came, I couldn’t say no.”
Roger-Vasselin expressed his gratitude, highlighting the special nature of their win, “Securing a victory at home is incredibly special. I’m deeply thankful to Laura for agreeing to partner with me on such short notice. It’s a fantastic story, and having the trophy here at the end of the week is unbelievable. Ten years after my last Grand Slam doubles win at Roland-Garros, this is a moment I will cherish forever.”
The duo started the match on a high note, breaking Skupski’s serve and holding their own to lead 2-0. Despite facing seven break points in their subsequent service games, they managed to maintain their lead and secured the first set after 44 minutes.
In the second set, they increased their intensity, breaking Krawczyk’s serve to love and sustaining their advantage despite a strong challenge from their opponents.
Krawczyk and Skupski, who were aiming to add a Roland-Garros title to their Wimbledon successes, fought back fiercely, eventually leveling the second set at 4-all.
However, Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin remained composed under pressure. Despite missing a championship point at 5-4, they ultimately clinched the victory two games later, with Siegemund delivering a decisive service game.
Their triumph is a testament to their quick adaptation and exceptional teamwork, making Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin the new mixed doubles champions at Roland-Garros.
The win was especially poignant for Roger-Vasselin, who celebrated the moment with his father Christophe, a former Roland-Garros singles semi-finalist, in the stands. This victory not only marks a significant achievement in their careers but also highlights the unexpected successes that can arise from last-minute decisions.
