PARIS : Top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend claimed their first French Open women’s doubles title as a partnership with a 6-2 7-5 victory over second seeds Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic on Sunday.
The Czech-American duo recovered from an early deficit in the second set before closing out the match to secure their third Grand Slam crown together.
Danilina of Kazakhstan and Serbia’s Krunic matched their opponents early on, controlling the net as the opening set remained level through four games. But Siniakova’s sharp overheads and deep lobs, often set up by Townsend’s wide serves, helped the top seeds reel off four straight games to take the set 6-2.
The second seeds responded strongly in the next set, breaking early to build a 3-0 lead as Siniakova struggled with several unforced errors on return.
Townsend’s aggressive shot-making, however, sparked the comeback, and the top seeds broke back in the seventh game to regain momentum.
With Danilina and Krunic serving for the set, Siniakova and Townsend saved three set points to level at 5-5 before earning a decisive break and serving out the match to seal the title.
“I don’t know which time I’m congratulating you again, I’m kind of getting sick of this,” Krunic joked during the trophy ceremony, referring to Siniakova’s remarkable success in doubles.
The victory gave 30-year-old Siniakova her 11th Grand Slam women’s doubles title and her fourth at Roland Garros.
For Danilina and Krunic, the defeat marked a second consecutive Grand Slam final loss after they also finished runners-up at the Australian Open in January.
“It really has been a long seven weeks for me being away from my son, so it really means a lot to me to be able to bring this trophy home to him,” Townsend said after the match, while an emotional Siniakova fought back tears during the celebrations.
