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New Delhi: Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud secured a thrilling 3-5, 5-3, [10-8] win against Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper to qualify for the final of the US Open mixed doubles. The duo won the first match tie-break of the tournament and will be looking to win their maiden mixed doubles title and an additional million dollars.

Casper Ruud started the match and managed to save two break points, avoiding an early setback. Jack Draper held his serve easily, setting up a competitive tone to the game. Draper and Pegula broke Swiatek’s serve, but the European duo responded quickly to maintain a 2-2.

Ruud and Draper held serve again before Pegula and Swiatek took the lead. A crucial point came at 30-30 on Swiatek’s serve, when a smash by Pegula led to a challenge, which halted the match for a few minutes.

However, it was ultimately ruled a correctly hit point by the local player, who broke again. Pegula then responded well with good serves, targeting Swiatek/Ruud, and an unforced error from the Norwegian on the American’s serve ended the first set 5-3 in favour of Pegula/Draper.

Ruud and Draper started the second set with the service game. Swiatek struggled early and lost her serve in the third game as Draper dominated most of the points. But, she bounced back and broke Pegula’s serve, levelling the set at 2-2.

Ruud defended his serve comfortably, which gave them three set points, but they failed to convert them due to Draper’s strong serving, which saved the duo. Swiatek managed to defend her serve for the first time, and Ruud also followed with another hold before breaking Pegula’s serve again. They won the set 5-3, forcing the tournament’s first match tie-break.

Swiatek & Ruud win in match tie-break

The match started with a mini-break against Ruud, his only early error, followed by a string of successful service points from all players. Both teams held their serve at 5-3, but a costly double fault from Swiatek gave Pegula and Draper an 8-4 lead in the tie-breaker.

The American got the opportunity to win the match, but she lost two mini-breaks and allowed her opponents to make a comeback. Swiatek and Ruud won six consecutive points and advanced to the finals.