At the US Open mixed doubles competition on Tuesday, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper defeated Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz in a high-profile opening match. The duo’s victory took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium as part of the tournament’s newly formatted mixed doubles event, which offers a $1 million prize and features leading players from around the world.
New Format Draws the World’s Best Players to Mixed Doubles
The revamped mixed doubles tournament at the US Open, played over two days before the main singles matches commence, features a shortened set format designed to intensify competition and appeal to fans. This change has attracted many top-ranked players, with Pegula and Draper, the No 1 seeds based on their ATP and WTA rankings, showcasing their strong teamwork against former US Open champions Raducanu and Alcaraz.
Match Highlights: Early Breaks Secure Straight-Set Win for Pegula and Draper
From the outset, Draper and Pegula dominated by breaking Alcaraz’s serve in the very first game, setting the tone for their 4-2, 4-2 victory. They secured another crucial break in the third game of the second set, maintaining control throughout the match. This win guarantees them a quick return to the court later Tuesday for their quarter-final clash, where they are set to face the winners of Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic against Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev.
Draper Reflects on Playing with Pegula Against Formidable Opponents
Following the match, Draper expressed enthusiasm about his partnership with Pegula, commenting,
“It doesn’t get any better than this, so it’s just a pleasure to be out here playing against them and with such a great player.”
—Jack Draper, Tennis Player
He added in his post-match interview,
“I have got a pretty good partner! What an experience out here playing with Jessica against Emma and Carlos.”
Implications and What to Watch Next
The strong start by Pegula and Draper underlines their potential as serious contenders in the mixed doubles event at the US Open. With the tournament’s new format encouraging fast-paced, engaging matches among elite players, fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the competition progresses. The upcoming quarter-finals will test Pegula and Draper’s ability to maintain their form against other highly skilled pairs, including potential matchups featuring Djokovic and Medvedev.