Alcaraz-Serena to face qualifier in US Open mixed doubles opener; Djokovic-Sabalenka draw Tiafoe-Fernandez

New York, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams will begin their much-anticipated US Open 2026 mixed doubles campaign against a qualifier after the star pairing was handed its first-round opponent in the 16-team event. The draw was announced on Sunday, with main-draw action scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

The wildcard duo is making its debut as a team, with Williams returning to competitive action at the US Open for the first time since 2022. Alcaraz, meanwhile, will make his second Grand Slam mixed doubles appearance after partnering Emma Raducanu at the 2025 US Open.

Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will open their campaign against wildcard pair Francis Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez. The winner will face either Gael Monfils-Elina Svitolina or Felix Auger-Aliassime-Alexandra Eala in the quarterfinals.

Alcaraz and Williams are in the opposite half of the draw from Djokovic and Sabalenka and could meet the top seeds in the semifinals if both teams progress.

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

Third seeds Learner Tien and Amanda Anisimova will take on wildcard Americans Tommy Paul and Emma Navarro. Fourth seeds Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli will face wildcards Alexander Zverev and Taylor Townsend.

In the remaining first-round match, Jakub Mensik and Karolina Muchova will face a qualifier.

The revamped 16-team mixed doubles event is being staged from August 24 to 26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Qualifying takes place on Monday, with the semifinals and final scheduled for Wednesday. The championship carries a $1 million winner’s prize.

US Open 2026 Mixed Doubles First-Round Draw: