Draper Pegula win in revamped US Open mixed doubles

The US Open’s revamped mixed doubles format puts star pairings on the big stage while testing how the doubles field will adapt.

Draper and Pegula win in revamped US Open mixed doubles

Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula beat Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz 4-2, 4-2 in the opening round of the US Open mixed doubles. The match under the bright lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium highlighted the dynamics of the tournament’s reimagined format, with Raducanu facing a sharper, more aggressive pairing early on. Raducanu, who has played only a handful of doubles events, found it hard to find rhythm at the net, while Draper pressed the pace and closed down space. Alcaraz, arriving in New York late after Cincinnati, struggled to impose himself in doubles and could not steady the partners on court.

In the rest of the draw, Errani and Vavassori, the defending champions, moved through rounds with a relentless net game, signaling that doubles specialists still hold a strong hand in this setup. Iga Swiatek formed a high-profile crossover with Casper Ruud, underscoring the event’s aim to mix singles stars with doubles craft. The changes are meant to give doubles more visibility, but they also raise questions about scheduling, budgets, and whether doubles specialists are being sidelined for singles stars. The early results show both promise and teething problems for a format trying to rewrite a traditional script.

The revamped mixed doubles format tests how far star power can carry a doubles contest. When high-profile singles players step onto the doubles court, they bring attention but also new pressure and a different pace around the net. The early results suggest the idea can work, but they also expose the risk that doubles specialists may be sidelined in the name of spectacle.

Highlights

The doubles game is evolving and the next round will test whether the format can sustain interest without sidelining the specialists.