First-Time Duo Ostapenko/Routliffe Claim Doubles Title

THE NO. 1 SEEDS DENY HOME HOPES KRAWCZYK/DOLEHIDE, 6-4, 6-2

Not a bad start for a first-time pairing.

Top seeds Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand, playing their first tournament together, are the 2025 Credit One Charleston Open doubles champions. Ostapenko/Routliffe defeated the No. 3-seeded American duo of Desirae Krawczyk and Caroline Dolehide in the title match on Sunday at LTP-Daniel Island, 6-4, 6-2.

Krawczyk, 31, fell short of her second Charleston doubles crown in three years, having joined compatriot Danielle Collins for a trophy run in 2023.

“It was an amazing week, especially for us playing only the first time,” said Ostapenko. “I think we played better and better every match.”

“It’s awesome,” said Routliffe, who captured the year-end WTA Finals title last year alongside Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski. “So many people watch doubles here, and we love it in Charleston, and we love this tournament. We’ll definitely come back next year.”

Sunday highlighted that aforementioned affinity from the Charleston crowds for the doubles game. Credit One Stadium welcomed the two teams with an electric atmosphere, and, while the Americans got more full-throated support, the appreciation for the high level of play was clear throughout.

Routliffe puts away an overhead.

As they did all tournament long, the former junior foes kept the atmosphere light in Credit One Stadium — all smiles during the one-hour, 20-minute victory.

“I think it’s important. I think both of us, when we’re smiling, we’re probably playing our best tennis,” said Routliffe. “For some people, it’s more like business-serious, but I think both of us are lucky because when we’re smiling, we play our best. We said at the beginning of the week that we’re just going to have no pressure and have a lot of fun with it. I think we did a good job with that.”

Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros singles titlist, has raised eight trophies on the singles court. Sunday’s triumph, she says, will pay dividends in both disciplines.

“My priority was always singles, but I feel like the doubles titles also give you confidence,” said Ostapenko, 27, who also reached the Round of 16 here in singles.

Last year, Krawczyk and Dolehide reached the Qatar final; made semifinal appearances in Rome, Roland Garros and Wimbledon; and won the WTA 1000 title in Toronto.

Dolehide and Krawczyk take the Credit One Stadium court on Sunday.