The main matches of the 2026 US Open mixed doubles championship begins today at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, featuring a 16-team draw full of stars. Let’s look at the pairings following a late re-shuffle due to cancellations.
Format and Schedule
Following the revamped format introduced last year, the mixed doubles championship is being played as a rapid three-day event, with qualifying on Monday followed by the main draw across Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Qualifying (Monday, Aug. 24): Eight teams competed for two places in the 16-team main draw yesterday.
- First Round & Quarterfinals (Tuesday, Aug. 25): All 16 main-draw teams begin today, with the quarterfinals also scheduled for later the same day. That means the pairs who advance could face a demanding double-header.
- Semifinals & Final (Wednesday, Aug. 26): The tournament wraps up tomorrow, with the final scheduled for Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The compressed format is designed to give fans a concentrated dose of mixed doubles action while bringing some of the biggest names in singles together with established doubles specialists. Many doubles specialists will continue to criticise this “new” event and it’s understandable, but it seems this is what the fans wants.
A Late-Reshuffled Draw
The bracket has undergone some late changes following several withdrawals. The most notable reshuffle came at the top of the draw: Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic were originally set to face Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, but after Tiafoe’s withdrawal, Katerina Siniaková and Henry Patten moved into the main draw and now face the No. 1 seeds. A very tough start for the singles top players Djokovic/Sabalenka…
Other changes have also affected the field, including adjustments involving teams featuring Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud. Despite the reshuffling, the 16-team field remains one of the most star-studded in the event’s history, mixing Grand Slam singles champions, current stars and elite doubles specialists through direct entry, wild cards and qualifying.
Schedule
Opening Rounds (R1 & R2)
(Arthur Ashe & Louis Armstrong Stadiums) 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM local time
Tuesday matches:
Elina Svitolina / Gaël Monfils vs Alexandra Eala / Félix Auger-Aliassime
Karolína Muchová / Jakub Menšík vs Kristina Mladenovic / Marcelo Arévalo
Emma Navarro / Tommy Paul vs Amanda Anisimova / Learner Tien
Mirra Andreeva / Andrey Rublev vs Sara Errani / Andrea Vavassori
Aryna Sabalenka / Novak Djokovic vs Katerina Siniakova / Henry Patten
Belinda Bencic / Flavio Cobolli vs Taylor Townsend / Alexander Zverev
Serena Williams / Carlos Alcaraz vs Erin Routliffe / Lloyd Glasspool
Diana Shnaider / Casper Ruud vs Jessica Pegula / Taylor Fritz
Semifinals & Final
(Arthur Ashe Stadium) 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Wednesday) local time
More exact details on the official site.
Match Scoring Format
- Rounds 1 through Semifinals: Best-of-three sets using a short-format structure. Sets are played to 4 games (with a tiebreaker at 4-4), utilizing no-ad scoring, and a 10-point super-tiebreaker in lieu of a full third set.
- The Final: Played as a traditional best-of-three sets using standard game counts (tiebreakers at 6-6) with no-ad scoring, and a 10-point super-tiebreaker for the third set.
Must-Watch Matchups
- Williams & Alcaraz Return: In arguably the biggest story of the tournament, 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams is making her competitive return to the US Open, partnering Carlos Alcaraz on a wild card. They open against qualifiers Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool. It will be Williams first US Open match since 2022.
- Top Seeds: Grand Slam champions Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic are the No. 1 seeds and now face the formidable qualifying combination of Katerina Siniaková and Henry Patten following the late reshuffle.
- Loaded Field: Other heavyweight pairings include No. 2 seeds Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz facing Diana Shnaider and Casper Ruud, while fan-favorites Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils take on Alex Eala and Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Predictions
With champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori back to defend the title they won at the inaugural edition of the revamped event, the stage is set for another chaotic sprint to the trophy.
I think the doubles specialists will once again show that the art of Doubles is something they master on another level. My bet for the final: Siniakova and Patten to win vs Errani and Vavassori.
