Evan King, a former standout tennis player at Michigan, reached the French Open mixed doubles final for the second straight year.
King and Gabriela Dabrowski, who were playing together for the first time and were unseeded, lost 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 to top-seeded and defending French Open champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori on Thursday on Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris. The Italians are the first duo to successfully defend a French mixed doubles title since 2019.
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This is not the first time King has lost to the Italian duo. Last year at the French, Errani and Vavassori defeated King and Taylor Townsend for the title.
"You guys are amazing for the sport, and inspirations," King said to the winners on court. "I wish we would beat you, but you guys are just really good."
King, 34, who was voted All-Big Ten each season during his Michigan career (2010-13), and Dabrowski reached the final with a 5-7, 7-6, 10-5 win over Nikola Mektic and Asia Muhammad.
Earlier this year, King reached a career-high doubles ranking of No. 14 in the world. Last season at the French Open, King reached the semifinals with Christian Harrison. This year, he and partner Andre Goransson lost in the third round.
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Former Michigan tennis star falls in French Open mixed doubles final