Chemistry on the court

Finding the right doubles partner isn't all that different from dating

- BRIAN MAHONEY

Coco Gauff returns a shot to Elina Svitolina during the third round of the U.S. Open on Friday in New York.

Players at the U.S. Open describe doubles like dating: There’s the need to pick a partner, gauge chemistry, and then determine if they’ll stick it out for the long haul or go their separate ways — and then maybe get back together.

So there was something akin to courtship before anyone took the court in women’s, men’s or mixed doubles this week at Flushing Meadows, a process of putting together pairs that everyone involved hopes will lead to a trophy.

Taylor Townsend, one-half of the reigning Wimbledon women’s doubles title-winning duo, knows her enviable combination of left-handed power and touch at the net makes her desirable. So she’s not surprised when she looks at her phone and sees text messages — occasionally from numbers she doesn’t recognize — sent by players making their pitch.

“Definitely people knocking on my door,” she said.