The pivotal point came in the sixth game of the second set when Stubbs' dived into the stands trying to retrieve a forehand from Ruano Pascual.

She failed and the champions took a 4-2 lead from which they never looked back.

"That was the truly crucial moment in the match," Argentina's Suarez said.

The Americans were rattled and Stubbs was booed by the Spanish and Argentine-dominated crowd when she questioned a line call in the next game.

Spain's Ruano Pascual put the victory down to her understanding with Suarez.

Best showing

"We've played together for 10 years," she explained. "We know every move on the court.

"I know what Paola is going to do, and it's the same for her."

Raymond and Stubbs have won three Grand Slam doubles titles together, including last year's US Open, but now trail 5-4 in their meetings with Suarez and Ruano Pascual.

The mixed doubles final was won by the Zimbabwean brother-and-sister pairing of Wayne and Cara Black.

They beat Elena Bovina of Russia and Mark Knowles of the Bahamas 6-3, 6-3 to lift their first Grand Slam title.

Their best showing in a Slam event prior to Sunday's victory was reaching the quarter-finals of the 2001 US Open.