American dream for doubles

NEW YORK // The American wildcards of Carly Gullickson and Travis Parrott shocked defending champions Cara Black and Leander Paes 6-2, 6-4 to win the US Open's mixed doubles championship. Gullickson and Parrott dominated the opening set before racing into a 5-2 lead in the second against the second seeds. The unheralded duo were broken right back but managed to win the 66-minute match on their next serve, the final point coming on a forehand volley by Gullickson.

Parrott and Gullickson, who had never previously played in a tournament together, won the crown amid swirling winds. After 10 days of clear weather, rain swept through Flushing Meadows to disturb Thursday's schedule. The men's singles quarter-final match between Rafael Nadal and Fernando Gonzales got carried over. Nadal was leading 7-6, 6-6 but 3-2 down in the tie-break. Despite the weather, the doubles pair managed to keep their focus and not be overawed by their first experience at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I can't even believe it," said the 22-year-old Gullickson. "It's my first time on Arthur Ashe. It was a great experience. I'm super excited and happy right now." Gullickson and Parrott, who also defeated the number one and three seeds along the way, will receive $150,000 (Dh552,000) for the win. India's Paes, 36, who already has won four grand slam mixed doubles titles, and Zimbabwean Black will collect $70,000.

"Our opponents were too good for us." Paes said. Both have another shot at winning some silverware. Paes was due to contest the men's doubles final yesterday with Lukas Dlouhy against his former partner Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles. Black and her partner Liezel Huber are still going strong in the women's doubles. * Reuters