Lyudmyla Kichenok and her fiance, Stanislav Khmarskiy, had plans to tie the knot this week, but their wedding had to take a back seat due to their unexpected run to the US Open women’s doubles championship. On Friday, Kichenok and her partner, Jelena Ostapenko, clinched their first major title as a team by defeating Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai with a score of 6-4, 6-3. The victory not only brought them glory but also a cash prize of $750,000.
The No. 7 seeds began their journey together earlier in the year with a loss in the Australian Open final. However, their performance at Flushing Meadows was flawless, as they did not drop a single set throughout the tournament. Ostapenko expressed her excitement during the on-court trophy presentation, stating, „We are a really great team, and I think it was just an amazing two weeks. We didn’t expect anything. We were just playing better and better every match. We didn’t lose one set, so it was a really good tournament.“
For Kichenok, the victory held special significance as she dedicated it to her home country of Ukraine. In light of the ongoing struggles for freedom in Ukraine, Kichenok expressed her hope that the win would bring some encouragement to her fellow countrymen. She emphasized, „They are fighting really hard for our freedom right now, and I just hope I can give them some encouragement, and my heart is with them.“
Despite facing tough competition from Mladenovic and Zhang, Ostapenko and Kichenok showed resilience throughout the match. They broke early in the second game to gain an advantage and held on to secure crucial points when needed. Even when their opponents fought back and broke them to take a 2-0 lead in the second set, Ostapenko and Kichenok remained focused and managed to turn the tables with their strategic play.
The victory at the US Open marked the fifth title together for Ostapenko and Kichenok. Their chemistry on the court was evident, not only in their coordinated gameplay but also in their shared joy and celebration after clinching the championship. Kichenok, who already had a Wimbledon mixed doubles title to her name, expressed her gratitude for having such a supportive partner in Ostapenko by her side during the match.
The journey of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko to the US Open women’s doubles title was a testament to their skill, resilience, and teamwork. The victory not only brought them glory and a substantial cash prize but also allowed them to dedicate their success to a meaningful cause. As they continue their tennis careers, fans can expect to see more remarkable achievements from this dynamic duo on the court.
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