Dominant doubling force in California: Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina successfully defend Eisenhower Cup in impressive display

Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina have teamed up to great effect once more in California. The duo defended the Eisenhower Cup title with a dominant display as they took home a prize pot of $200,000 ahead of Indian Wells.

The popular doubles tournament continued its trend of being held just before the Masters 1000 event commences in the USA with some very talented tennis players stepping onto the court with fellow top competitors in a mixed doubles tournament. Each match is a 10-point tiebreak competed between eight teams in a knockout format.

Fritz and Rybakina had the intentions of reclaiming the title that they won last year, but it would not be easy with a star-studded lineup on store at Indian Wells. The event would be played without Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev with travel from the Middle East continuing to be tricky at this stage with the ongoing events. Mirra Andreeva was supposed to partner up with Medvedev but would instead step onto the court with Alexander Bublik, with Amanda Anisimova partnering up with fellow American Learner Tien with the ATP players coming in as late replacements.

Tien and Anisimova got off the mark very quickly, winning 10-3 in a dominant display over the 2024 champions Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro who were not going to repeat the fortunes of a couple of years ago. Andreeva and Bublik were also able to get the win over the line, but in a much tighter match against Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul, squeezing out as 11-9 winners in a blockbuster quarterfinal tie.

The crowd were very much entertained, and it would continue as Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud continued their positive form on court together. The US Open mixed doubles finalists began their campaign with a 10-6 win against Canadian duo Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez. The reigning champions then took centre stage with success. The big serving of Fritz and Rybakina proved to be enough to dump out Italians Jasmine Paolini and Matteo Berrettini 10-5.

After a remarkably tight quarterfinal, Anisimova and Tien thrashed Andreeva and Bublik 10-3 to race into the final. They were soon joined by Fritz and Rybakina after they also won 10-3 but this time against Swiatek and Ruud.

It was a closely fought start, but it would not last like this. Fritz and Rybakina took the initiative as they stormed 6-2 in front to stamp their authority in this final. Despite an attempted comeback from the American pair, there was nothing they could do in the end as Fritz and Rybakina successfully defended their title with a 10-7 triumph and will both split the $200,000 won in this doubles exhibition tournament. Everyone else will leave empty handed. All proceeds collected from the event will be donated to local charities in a touching tribute.

Both players were delighted with their victory on the night. “I’m super happy,” Rybakina said, who had already shifted her focus onto the main event. “Hopefully I can do the same thing in singles.” Fritz shared his feelings from an enjoyable session. “It’s amazing. When I walk out here and see Stadium 2 completely packed for this event – it’s amazing to see I don’t think you’d get that at a lot of other places elsewhere in the world. It’s great to be a part of it and to play, and to get to win it as well.”

All eight players will return to the court as they look to try and taste success in the singles competition. Fritz won this title back in 2022, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final. He will face either Jacob Fearnley or Damir Dzumhur with Rybakina already eyeing up a second round matchup against one of Emiliana Arango or Hailey Baptiste.