Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski win U.S. Open for their second Grand Slam men’s doubles title

Neal Skupski, of Britain, left, celebrates with Christian Harrison, of the United States, right, after winning the men's doubles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships Kevin Krawietz, of Germany, and Tim Puetz, of Germany, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

NEW YORK — American Christian Harrison and British partner Neal Skupski won their second Grand Slam men’s doubles title of the year by defeating Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 7-6 (6) in the U.S. Open final on Saturday.

Harrison and Skupski were playing just their second tournament together when they won the Australian Open in January. They are the fourth men’s team to win these two majors in the same year since Melbourne went to hard courts in 1988.

“It’s been a great year,” Harrison said. “To get two titles like this, I’m speechless — and to do it at home.”

They cruised through at Flushing Meadows, becoming just the third team since the Open era began in 1968 to win without dropping a set. It took fending off set point in the second during the tiebreak to join the duos of John McEnroe and Peter Fleming in 1983 and Bob and Mike Bryan in 2008 and ’10 in the history books.

“It’s amazing what a year does in tennis,” said Skupski, who lost in the 2025 U.S. Open and French Open finals with former partner Joe Salisbury. “Still in shock. ... This moment right now feels so special.”

Harrison is a major champion on home soil after undergoing eight surgeries from 2009-18 that led him to largely abandon singles play to focus on doubles. That included two operations on his left femur, along with one on each hip and adductor.

Father and coach Pat was in attendance along with other family members, putting aside his fear of flying to make the trip.

“Got my dad to fly up here,” Christian Harrison said. “He doesn’t fly.”

Krawietz and Puetz came up short in the final for a second time in three years. They lost to the Australian pair of Max Purcell Jordan Thompson in 2024.

“To lose a final hurts, of course,” Krawietz said. “See you next year.”

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press