Kichenok and Ostapenko's Triumphant U.S. Open Victory Delays Wedding

Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko won the U.S. Open women's doubles title, defeating Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai. Originally set to marry Ostapenko's coach, Kichenok postponed the wedding to play in the tournament. Both players marked significant career achievements with this win, dedicating it to various personal and national causes.

Lyudmyla Kichenok was scheduled to marry Jelena Ostapenko's coach this week, but their U.S. Open women's doubles championship run interrupted those plans.

Kichenok and Ostapenko clinched the title on Friday, triumphing over Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-3, marking their first major win as a team.

Kichenok shared that she and Stanislav Khmarskiy intended to wed on the same day she and Ostapenko secured their semifinal victory.

"I think it's a good excuse to postpone it a bit," Ostapenko quipped during the trophy ceremony.

The duo had started the season with a disappointing loss in the Australian Open final but dominated in Flushing Meadows, where they won $750,000 without dropping a set.

Ostapenko, a Latvian who won the 2017 French Open in singles, celebrated their fifth title as a team. Kichenok dedicated the victory to Ukraine, expressing hopes to inspire her compatriots fighting for freedom.

"They are fighting really hard for our freedom right now, and I just hope I can give them some encouragement," Kichenok stated. She added that her heart is with them.

The pair took an early 4-1 lead, but Mladenovic and Zhang leveled it at 4-all. Ostapenko finally held serve after a grueling 22-point game, and they captured the set after Zhang double-faulted.

Down 2-0 in the second set, Kichenok and Ostapenko rallied back, all as Arthur Ashe Stadium filled with fans awaiting the men's semifinal featuring Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper.

Mladenovic and Zhang saved three match points, but Kichenok and Ostapenko secured the victory on their next opportunity.

Mladenovic, a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion, remains winless in U.S. Open finals, despite maintaining a positive outlook about the venue. Zhang, aiming for her second New York title, remains optimistic for future victories.

(With inputs from agencies.)