US Open 2026 mixed doubles draw: Alcaraz-Williams vs qualifier, Djokovic-Sabalenka face Tiafoe-Fernandez
Synopsis
The US Open 2026 mixed doubles draw has delivered the matchups fans wanted — and a few surprises. Alcaraz and Williams, the most talked-about wildcard pair, open against a qualifier, while Djokovic and Sabalenka face Tiafoe and Fernandez. With five wildcard entries in a 16-team field and doubles specialists now included via a new qualifying route, the format itself is as newsworthy as the names.
Key Takeaways
[WC] Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will face a qualifier in the first round of US Open 2026 mixed doubles.
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka open against wildcard pair Francis Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez .
The USTA introduced a qualifying tournament this year to give doubles specialists a route into the 16-team draw.
Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori begin their title defence against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev .
Second seeds Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula face Casper Ruud and Diana Shnaider in the opening round.
Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will open their US Open 2026 mixed doubles campaign against a qualifier, while Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka have been drawn against the wildcard pair of Francis Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez in the first round of the 16-team event. The draw was conducted on Sunday, 24 August, setting the stage for one of the most star-studded mixed doubles fields in recent US Open history.
Alcaraz and Williams: Wildcard Pair, Qualifier Opponent
Alcaraz and Williams, making their first joint appearance at the US Open since 2022, received a wildcard entry into the newly structured mixed doubles tournament. Despite facing a qualifier in the opener, the match is unlikely to be straightforward — the qualifying draw was specifically designed to include doubles specialists who had been excluded from the main draw in previous years.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) introduced the qualifying tournament this year following criticism that doubles specialists were being sidelined in favour of marquee singles names. The format change reflects a deliberate effort to balance star power with competitive depth.
Djokovic-Sabalenka on Course for a Deep Run
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka are positioned on the opposite half of the draw from Alcaraz and Williams, meaning the two headline pairings cannot meet before a potential final. Their first-round opponents, Francis Tiafoe of the United States and Leylah Fernandez of Canada, are themselves a wildcard entry, adding an all-star flavour to what is already a high-profile opener.
Key First-Round Matchups
Second seeds Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula will face Casper Ruud and Diana Shnaider in the first round. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori — two-time title holders — open their title defence against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.
Wildcard pair Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina will take on Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexandra Eala, while fourth seeds Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli face the wildcard team of Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend. Tommy Paul and Emma Navarro are up against third seeds Learner Tien and Amanda Anisimova, and Jakub Mensik and Karolina Muchova will also face a qualifier.
Full US Open 2026 Mixed Doubles Draw
Novak Djokovic / Aryna Sabalenka vs [WC] Francis Tiafoe / Leylah Fernandez
[WC] Gael Monfils / Elina Svitolina vs Felix Auger-Aliassime / Alexandra Eala
[4] Belinda Bencic / Flavio Cobolli vs [WC] Alexander Zverev / Taylor Townsend
[WC] Carlos Alcaraz / Serena Williams vs Qualifier
Jakub Mensik / Karolina Muchova vs Qualifier
[WC] Tommy Paul / Emma Navarro vs [3] Learner Tien / Amanda Anisimova
Andrey Rublev / Mirra Andreeva vs [WC] Andrea Vavassori / Sara Errani
[WC] Casper Ruud / Diana Shnaider vs [2] Taylor Fritz / Jessica Pegula
What to Watch
With five wildcard pairs in a field of just 16 teams, the tournament is as much a celebration of singles stardom as it is a doubles contest. The introduction of qualifiers adds a layer of unpredictability — and potential upsets. All eyes will be on whether Alcaraz and Williams, the most anticipated pairing in the draw, can navigate past the qualifier and go deep into the week.
Point of View
And corrects course. Yet the format still hands five of sixteen spots to wildcard pairs, so the balance remains tilted toward marquee value over merit. The Alcaraz-Williams pairing will generate the headlines, but if a qualifier knocks them out in round one, it will be the loudest possible argument for the format change. Djokovic and Sabalenka, placed cleanly away from the headline pair, look the most credible title contenders on paper.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams playing in the US Open 2026 mixed doubles first round?
Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will face a qualifier in the first round of the US Open 2026 mixed doubles. The pair received a wildcard entry into the 16-team event and are making their first joint appearance at the US Open since 2022.
Who are Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka playing in the US Open 2026 mixed doubles?
Djokovic and Sabalenka open against the wildcard pair of Francis Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez. They are placed on the opposite half of the draw from Alcaraz and Williams, meaning the two pairings could only meet in the final.
Why was a qualifying tournament introduced for US Open mixed doubles in 2026?
The USTA introduced the qualifying tournament following complaints that doubles specialists were being excluded as the association prioritised top singles names for wildcard entries. The change is intended to ensure competitive depth alongside star power.
Who are the defending champions in US Open mixed doubles?
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are the two-time defending champions. They open their title defence against Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev in the first round.
How many teams are in the US Open 2026 mixed doubles draw?
The US Open 2026 mixed doubles draw features 16 teams, including seeded pairs, wildcard entries, and — for the first time this year — qualifiers from a dedicated qualifying tournament.
