After months of speculation and excitement, the highly anticipated doubles partnership between Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz took place in front of a lively crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite the smiles and camaraderie shared on the court, they faced a tough defeat against the seasoned duo of Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper. The top seeds showcased their skills and advanced to the quarter-finals of the newly revamped mixed-doubles competition with a decisive 4-2, 4-2 victory.
Following their initial win, Pegula and Draper displayed remarkable confidence as they cruised through their quarter-final match against Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev. They secured their spot in the semi-finals with an emphatic 4-1, 4-1 victory, setting the stage for a showdown against Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison on Wednesday afternoon. The excitement continues to build as they vie for a place in the final later that night.
The first bracket of the mixed-doubles competition featured several unusual pairings, but the combination of Draper and Raducanu stood out. Having known each other since childhood, both players have a shared history of climbing the national rankings in Great Britain with dreams of becoming professional athletes. When the US Open announced its "reimagined" mixed-doubles format in February, the pairing seemed like a natural fit. However, the reality was that they found themselves competing against each other on one of the biggest stages in tennis.
Raducanu entered the match with limited experience, having participated in only three doubles tournaments throughout her career. The match quickly highlighted her struggles, starting with a backhand drive volley that went awry. This early misstep set the tone for a challenging day, as she found herself vulnerable at the net. While Raducanu grappled with her performance, Draper approached the contest with aggression, consistently pushing his opponents and showcasing his powerful topspin forehand.
One of the most significant aspects of the match was Draper's presence on the court. After a second-round exit at Wimbledon last month, he had withdrawn from both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open due to a left forearm injury. Following a challenging few months filled with setbacks, Draper appeared fit and ready to reclaim his place in the competition, reminiscent of his breakthrough semi-final run in New York just a year prior.
While Raducanu and Alcaraz captured headlines with their partnership, the pairing of Draper and Pegula emerged from a series of withdrawals, quickly solidifying themselves as a formidable team. Pegula, currently ranked No. 4 in singles and a former doubles No. 1, showcased her exceptional skill and court intelligence. Her solid baseline play provided Draper with the perfect platform to attack the net, putting them in a strong position to compete for the title.
On a busy Monday night, Iga Swiatek, after her victory against Jasmine Paolini at the Cincinnati Open, completed her media commitments late into the night. Traveling alongside Alcaraz, the men's champion, they arrived in New York at 12:50 AM. Just over 13 hours later, Swiatek was on the court training with her new doubles partner, Casper Ruud. Despite the quick turnaround, Swiatek delivered impressive performances, securing two wins in less than 24 hours.
The defending champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, aimed for another title in a draw that has often overlooked dedicated doubles specialists. From the outset of their opening match against second seeds Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, the Italian duo played with intense determination, embodying the spirit of all doubles competitors. Their relentless energy and flawless execution led them to a straight-sets victory against Rybakina and Fritz, followed by a win over Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev.
As they continue their pursuit of another title, Vavassori emphasized the importance of representing all doubles players. "When we got the wildcard, I was grateful to play. It’s crucial to show that doubles players are great players too," she stated. This sentiment resonates deeply within the mixed-doubles competition, highlighting the exceptional talent and dedication of those who specialize in this dynamic format.
