Open mixed doubles tournament against a team that features the reigning women’s doubles champion Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool, according to the Associated Press. Open since 2022.
Top Seeds Face Tough Opening Test Against World No. 1 Specialists
Top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic face a difficult opening draw against Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, according to the Associated Press. Sabalenka and Djokovic hold the top seed position based on having the lowest combined singles ranking in the 16-team field. Their opponents feature Siniakova and Patten, who rank as the No. 1 doubles players on their respective tours, per AP reports.
The first round and quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday, with the semifinals and final following on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Williams and Alcaraz originally drew one of the teams emerging from the Monday qualifying tournament. Routliffe and Glasspool secured that main draw spot by winning two matches, both requiring match tiebreakers, according to AP reporting.
Qualifying Tournament Structure Shifts Doubles Access
Organizers added the eight-team qualifying tournament this year to give traditional doubles specialists a chance to compete for the title, according to the Associated Press. The tournament underwent an overhaul last year featuring a $1 million prize for the winners to attract top singles players. However, direct entry based strictly on singles rankings essentially shut out players who focus primarily on doubles, according to AP.
Sabalenka and Djokovic were initially slated to play Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, according to the Associated Press. Tiafoe withdrew from mixed doubles on Monday after losing to Arthur Fils in the Cincinnati Open final on Sunday. That withdrawal opened the draw for a team that lost in qualifying to enter the main tournament, according to AP.
Did you know? The mixed doubles tournament features an overhauled format with a $1 million prize for the winners, according to Associated Press reports.
Player Statuses and Roster Adjustments
Siniakova and Patten earned their main draw spot by winning both qualifying matches, according to the Associated Press. Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arevalo, who lost to Routliffe and Glasspool in their second qualifying match, secured the remaining spot to play Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik, per AP.
Williams does not plan to play singles in New York, according to the Associated Press. Alcaraz has been sidelined since April with a right wrist injury and will return to the tournament to defend his singles title, according to AP reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Serena Williams play her first U.S. Open mixed doubles match?
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz play Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool on Tuesday in the first round, according to the Associated Press.
Who are the top seeds in the U.S. Open mixed doubles tournament?
Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic are the top seeds in the 16-team field based on having the lowest combined singles ranking, according to the Associated Press.
Why was a qualifying tournament added to the mixed doubles event?
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