Published: 09:53, July 14, 2024
American Townsend wins Wimbledon doubles crown alongside Siniakova
By Reuters
Taylor Townsend (left) of the United States and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic pose with their trophy's after defeating Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand in the women's doubles final at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, on July 13, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

LONDON - American Taylor Townsend captured her first Grand Slam title as she and Czech partner Katerina Siniakova beat Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand's Erin Routliffe in the Wimbledon women's doubles final on Saturday.

With the rest of the All England Club in darkness at the end of a long day, Townsend and Siniakova shone under the illuminated Centre Court roof to win 7-6(5) 7-6(1) in what was only their 10th match playing together.

Townsend had lost in the US Open doubles final in 2022 and last year's French Open doubles final, but made it third time lucky alongside Siniakova who now has nine doubles Slams.

USA's Taylor Townsend (left), returns the ball past Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova as they play against Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand's Erin Routliffe during their women's doubles final tennis match on the thirteenth day of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 13, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

The 28-year-old Chicago-born Townsend, who became a mother in 2021, was overcome with emotion after a double-fault from their opponents ended a tight contest.

"I just have to say I'm so glad that I could team up with Katerina," Townsend said on court.

ALSO READ: Comeback queen Krejcikova books Wimbledon final with effervescent Paolini

"I remember in my first Grand Slam final (the 2022 US Open) she kicked my butt so it was great to be on the same side of the net this time. It's been an amazing couple of weeks and it means a lot to get across the finishing line."

Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski (right) and New Zealand's Erin Routliffe play against Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova and USA's Taylor Townsend during their women's doubles final tennis match on the thirteenth day of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 13, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Routliffe, who alongside Dabrowski, won the US Open doubles title last year, will take some consolation in reaching the number one spot in the women's doubles rankings.

"This was my first Wimbledon final but hopefully not my last," Routliffe said on court. "There is something about Wimbledon that makes every match so much more emotional."

Siniakova won her first two Wimbledon doubles crowns with Barbora Krejcikova who earlier on Centre Court beat Jasmine Paolini to claim the singles title.

READ MORE: Unseeded Patten and Heliovaara win doubles crown in epic Wimbledon final

"I'm so proud of Barbora and I'm so happy that we could do it as well," the 28-year-old said.