Victory in Mixed Doubles
Jack Draper triumphed in the showdown between the British No. 1 players, teaming up with Jessica Pegula to defeat Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz in the first round of the US Open’s newly formatted mixed doubles event.
Advancement to Semi-finals
Draper and Pegula continued their successful run by overcoming Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals, earning a spot in the semi-finals scheduled for Wednesday night in New York, where they will face Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud.
Match Timing and Broadcast
The pair is set to take the court at 12 am on Thursday (BST), with the match being broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
New Event Format
Featuring a $1 million prize for the winners, the revamped event has shortened set formats and spans two days prior to the main singles draw beginning on Sunday. This innovative setup has attracted many top-ranked players, with the first round and quarter-finals unfolding on Tuesday.
Performance Highlights
As the top seeds, thanks to their rankings of fifth and fourth in the ATP and WTA Tours respectively, Draper and Pegula showcased a commanding performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium, defeating former US Open champions Raducanu and Alcaraz with a score of 4-2, 4-2.
Early Breaks and On-Court Remarks
The duo quickly broke Alcaraz’s serve in the initial game, maintaining their lead throughout the first set. In a post-match interview, Draper expressed his excitement, stating, “Playing with Jessica and against Emma and Carlos is an incredible experience.”
Other Notable Early Exits
Raducanu and Alcaraz, dubbed ‘Raducaraz’, despite their defeat, maintained high spirits throughout the match. Notably, other famous past champions like Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka also faced early exits in the mixed doubles tournament.