Defeat in the doubles final
Laura Siegemund misses second Grand Slam title
September 11, 2023, 12:54 a.m
She cannot repeat her 2020 success. Laura Siegemund and her playing partner Vera Swonarewa lose the doubles final of the US Open. However, the Swabian can take one positive aspect from the final.
Laura Siegemund missed her second doubles title at the US Open. The 35-year-old Swabian and her playing partner Vera Swonarewa lost in the final of the Grand Slam tournament in New York 6:7 (9:11), 3:6 against Gabriela Dabrowski from Canada and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe. “We played good tennis and they both played a little better,” congratulated Siegemund. “It was great to play in front of fans again – not like in 2020.”
With Swonarewa, Siegemund celebrated her only Grand Slam doubles title to date in New York three years ago – at that time under Corona conditions without spectators. For taking part in the final, the duo were able to look forward to prize money totaling 350,000 US dollars (327,210 euros).
In a tight first set, neither doubles dropped serve at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Siegemund and Swonarewa were closer to the break, but were unable to take advantage of a total of five chances. In the tie-break they made up a 0-4 deficit, missed two set points and lost the round after a clever overhead ball from Siegemund.
In the second set, the German-Russian duo quickly found themselves 3-0 behind and Siegemund had his back treated. After a total of 2:15 hours it was no longer enough for the comeback. Dabrowski and Routliffe played only their fourth tournament together, and for both of them it was the first Grand Slam title in doubles. Siegemund had already won the mixed doubles with the Croatian Mate Pavic in New York in 2016.
Almost two weeks ago she was eliminated in three sets in the opening singles competition against the eventual tournament winner Coco Gauff. She then complained about the behavior of the spectators, who at times booed her in the duel with the American crowd favorite.
“After that, several people came to me every day, some from players or coaches and also fans, who said to me in a very positive way: ‘I thought your match was great or I thought your press conference was great,'” reported Siegemund. “Of course that’s good.”