New York, 24 August (H.S.): The draw for the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship has been announced, setting up several high-profile first-round clashes. Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will face a qualifier in the opening round, while top seeds Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will take on the wild-card pairing of Frances Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez.

Alcaraz and Serena Williams were awarded a wild card on Sunday to enter the 16-team mixed doubles championship. Williams will make her first competitive appearance at the US Open since 2022, while Alcaraz will join the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion on court in the revamped mixed doubles event.

The opening-round assignment against a qualifying team could prove challenging for Alcaraz and Williams, as the qualifying field includes experienced doubles specialists. The qualifying competition is being held as part of this year’s expanded mixed doubles format, with two teams earning places in the main draw.

Djokovic-Sabalenka Face Tiafoe-Fernandez

Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will begin their campaign against American Frances Tiafoe and Canadian Leylah Fernandez. The blockbuster contest will mark Djokovic and Sabalenka’s first competitive appearance as a mixed doubles team.

Second-seeded Americans Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz will face Diana Shnaider and Casper Ruud. Meanwhile, defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori will begin their title defence against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.

US Open 2026 Mixed Doubles Draw

Novak Djokovic/Aryna Sabalenka vs Frances Tiafoe/Leylah Fernandez

Gael Monfils/Elina Svitolina vs Felix Auger-Aliassime/Alexandra Eala

Belinda Bencic/Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev/Taylor Townsend

Carlos Alcaraz/Serena Williams vs Qualifier

Jakub Mensik/Karolina Muchova vs Qualifier

Tommy Paul/Emma Navarro vs Learner Tien/Amanda Anisimova

Andrey Rublev/Mirra Andreeva vs Andrea Vavassori/Sara Errani

Casper Ruud/Diana Shnaider vs Taylor Fritz/Jessica Pegula

The 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship is being played from August 24 to 26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The 16-team event features a revamped format, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for Wednesday, August 26.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar