Thirty minutes prior to her entrance before an enthusiastic crowd in Stadium 2, Iga Swiatek made her way quietly across the players’ warmup pitch as darkness fell. However, when two small children recognized her, they joyfully chanted, “Iga, Iga, Iga!”
The night before the main draw of a WTA 1000 event typically feels quite calm, but the BNP Paribas Open buzzed with excitement on Tuesday. This was the Eisenhower Cup—a lively “Tie Break Tens” mixed doubles exhibition featuring top players, including current Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and defending champion Taylor Fritz. With 8,000 spectators present, the stakes were high for the winner-takes-all prize of $200,000, with all proceeds benefiting charity.
Rybakina expressed her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “Playing with the guys is enjoyable, and it’s great to try out the courts. We both have aggressive playstyles and powerful serves. Plus, Taylor can give me tips on returning serves, which is quite challenging.”
To determine who would serve first, a rock, paper, scissors game was held. The first team to reach 10 points (by two) would win. The semifinal matchups following four exciting quarterfinals were set as:
Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien vs. Mirra Andreeva and Alexander Bublik
Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud vs. Fritz and Rybakina
Incredible Journey for Townsend
Taylor Townsend, a busy mother of a four-year-old son, is experiencing a whirlwind of events in her life. As she approaches her 30th birthday next month, you’d think she’d be trying to conserve energy. Instead, she won four consecutive singles matches in Austin, reaching her first WTA career final against Peyton Stearns. Though she lost 7-6(8), 7-5, she triumphed in doubles alongside Storm Hunter.
Due to a low singles ranking (No. 119 before Austin and No. 87 after), Townsend had to qualify at Indian Wells. Following her Austin finals, she defeated Joanna Garland and then won against Akasha Urhobo to enter the main draw. That marked an intense 11 matches in just nine days. After a day off, she will face Marie Bouzkova in her first-round matchup.
Practice Highlights
The BNP Paribas Open emphasizes showcasing player practices, which attracted large crowds even with qualifying rounds taking place. While stars like Rybakina, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic drew fans to Stadium 1, Practice Court 11 saw an impressive turnout for Jaqueline Cristian and Alexandra Eala, another rising star from the Philippines.
Wildcards and Comebacks
The wildcard entries include former seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, alongside US Open titleholders Sloane Stephens and Bianca Andreescu. Rising stars like 18-year-old Lilli Tagger, coached by Francesca Schiavone, also received wildcards. A notable story is that of Jennifer Brady, a 2021 Australian Open finalist who is returning after a prolonged absence caused by injuries.
Unique Opportunities in Mixed Doubles
Jessica Pegula, the recent Dubai champion, remarked on the value of mixed doubles events for fan engagement. She highlighted how this format allows men and women to compete together, creating a unique experience in the sporting world. Rybakina and Fritz ultimately won the mixed doubles title, defending their crown with a final score of 10-7, highlighting Fritz’s surprising victory with a back-hand volley.
Rybakina expressed hope to achieve similar success in the singles tournament, saying, “I’m really happy and hope to replicate this in singles.”
