Djokovic and Sabalenka exit US Open mixed doubles
Serbian Novak Djokovic and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka ended their US Open mixed doubles campaign after losing their opening match. In New York on August 25, they were defeated by Briton Henry Patten and Czech player Katerina Siniakova — 1:4, 4:2, 2:10.
Reaching the quarterfinals
Djokovic and Sabalenka, the top seeds, won the first set. However, Patten and Siniakova levelled the match in sets, then dominated the deciding tiebreak to reach the quarterfinals.
The match ended with an ace by Siniakova on match point. After the match, Patten noted that in this format, one poor game can determine the fate of a set, and praised his partner's play in the tiebreak.
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Updated format
According to Channel NewsAsia, the mixed doubles competition is again being held a week before the start of the main singles draws. The organisers changed the format last year: they reduced the number of participants and gave the tournament a separate place in the calendar, seeking to attract leading singles players.
In its debut year, the updated format drew sell-out crowds and attracted many prominent tennis players, although some doubles specialists criticised it over the potential restriction of opportunities for established pairs. Last year, Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori won the mixed doubles title for the second consecutive time, defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the final.
