Erin Routliffe Makes Tennis History: Kiwi Star Claims First-Ever US Open Doubles Title

Flushing Meadows, New York—Kiwi doubles specialist Erin Routliffe has powered back into the spotlight, booking a place in the 2025 US Open women’s doubles final alongside Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski after a straight-sets semifinal victory over Olympic champions Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, 6-4, 6-3. Routliffe, 30, is aiming to become the first New Zealander to defend a women’s doubles crown in the Open Era, having lifted the trophy with Dabrowski in 2023 before falling in the 2024 semifinals. Thursday’s win extended the pair’s unbeaten run in New York to nine matches and underscored their status as the WTA’s most consistent hard-court duo this season; they already own titles from Indian Wells and Cincinnati and lead the tour in service-hold percentage. Key to their resurgence has been Routliffe’s booming first serve—a tournament-best 77 % first-serve points won—and Dabrowski’s knife-like interceptions at net. “We keep each other honest,” Routliffe told reporters. “If I’m tight on serve, Gaby steps up at the tape. If she misses a poach, I’m ready on the baseline.” The New Zealander added that she feels “even more hungry” after watching compatriot Michael Venus surge into the men’s doubles semifinals earlier in the day. The final will pit the defending champions against American crowd-favorite Taylor Townsend and Czech volleying maestro Katerina Siniakova, who upset top seeds Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens in a rain-delayed thriller on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Head-to-head, Dabrowski/Routliffe lead the Townsend/Siniakova pairing 2-1 this year, including a three-set win in the Miami semifinals. Match preview and what to watch • Serve-return battle: Routliffe’s 115 mph first delivery faces Townsend’s aggressive chip-charge returns. • Net dominance: Siniakova leads the tournament in total volleys won; Dabrowski ranks second. • Energy management: Both teams will play their third match in four days due to weather disruptions, elevating the importance of quick starts. New Zealand tennis fans can catch the championship clash at 9 a.m. Saturday (NZST) live on Sky Sport, while North American viewers can tune in on ESPN at 5 p.m. Friday (EDT). Ticket resale prices for the doubles final have surged 40 % overnight, reflecting the growing buzz around Routliffe’s bid for back-to-back titles. Road to the final Round 1: def. Doi/Hozumi 6-2, 6-2 Round 2: def. Hsieh/Mirza 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2 Quarterfinals: def. Kudermetova/Samsonova 4-6, 7-5, 10-7 Semifinals: def. Errani/Paolini 6-4, 6-3 A win on Saturday would vault Routliffe into the WTA top-10 doubles rankings for the first time and virtually lock up a berth at the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen. It would also mark Dabrowski’s fourth major doubles title, tying her with fellow Canadian Daniel Nestor for the second-most Grand Slam doubles trophies by a Canadian player. Beyond statistics, Routliffe hopes her run inspires the next generation in Aotearoa. “If little kids back home see me lifting that silverware again and believe they can make a living in tennis, that’s bigger than any ranking,” she said, flashing the silver fern stitched on her visor. As the floodlights of Arthur Ashe Stadium prepare to shine, one thing is certain: Erin Routliffe has transformed from under-the-radar Kiwi to headline act on tennis’s biggest stage, and the 2025 US Open women’s doubles final may be her crowning moment.