2025 US Open Mixed Doubles Preview: Taylor Fritz, Elena Rybakina face battle royale in Flushing

This year’s US Open mixed doubles pairings can’t help but intrigue. Given everything from the swift format to the minimal role mixed doubles plays on the tour, these teams are at heart more in the business of creating two days of instant duets than any kind of epic album. With that in mind, here’s a quick look at the draw, the teams, and a quick thought on each opening round match.

Arthur Ashe Stadium

Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper vs. Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz

• Pegula has won only two matches since Wimbledon. Due to an arm injury, Draper hasn’t even played one. Might the mixed be a fun way for these two top tenners to shake off a frustrating summer and get into the New York swing of things?
• Alcaraz and Raducanu, two past US Open champions, figure to enjoy the moment and put together a few fun shot sequences, all with smiles galore.

Head-to-Head: Back in March, Draper beat Alcaraz in the semis of Indian Wells. Since he’s a lot rustier now, how will Draper fare this time versus the highly versatile Spaniard?

Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic vs. Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev

• Will be fun to see how Djokovic embraces and enjoys a rare foray into this discipline. Might he serve-and-volley more as a way to get reps on that tactic in advance of the singles?
• A highly intriguing pairing of styles. Will Andreeva’s array continue to blossom? And how will Medvedev, far more of an east-west than north-south player, assert himself?

Head-to-head: Intrigued to see how rising star Andreeva fares versus all-time great Djokovic.

Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud vs. Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe

• Plenty of contemporary topspin will be fizzing off the frames of Swiatek and Ruud. Given how well her summer has gone, Swiatek will hopefully be relaxed and show off a few different skills than usual.
• Attempt to overpower Keys and Tiafoe at your own peril. Tiafoe lives for these high-energy moments and Keys is always up for exchanging big forehands with anyone.

Head-to-head: Battle of the forehands between Ruud and Keys. Might each of their partners poach a few of those drives?

Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils vs. Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti

• Charismatic duo of past champ Osaka and the always engaging Monfils will have plenty of power and spark.
• Lots of skill and passion from McNally-Musetti. Figure on plenty of sharp McNally volleys and at least one Musetti backhand winner for the ages.

Head-to-head: Of the four, McNally’s the most experienced doubles player. How will that surface?

Louis Armstrong Stadium

Katerina Siniakova and Jannik Sinner vs. Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev

• Doubles genius Siniakova will enjoy being backed by Sinner’s powerful drives.
• Two Olympic gold medalists join forces. Curious to see how Zverev capitalizes on Bencic’s ability to hit the ball early and rob opponents of time.

Head-to-head: Can Zverev concurrently hang with Sinner and keep Siniakova from asserting herself?

Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton vs. Amanda Anisimova and Holger Rune

• At their home Slam, look for lively American lefties Townsend and Shelton to show more passion than all the other teams—even on changeovers. Forward movement will surface frequently.
• Anisimova: solid, most all with her lethal backhand. Rune: uncertain. How much of his palette will Rune display?

Head-to-head: Townsend and Shelton, two players with doubles-ready games, will showcase a highly entertaining range of skills.

• Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka vs. Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev
• The combination of Williams’ experience (including two mixed Slam title runs alongside Justin Gimelstob) and Opelka’s tremendous serve could well pose a great many questions.
• Rublev’s got the power, Muchova’s got the net game.

Head-to-head: Fast-paced format more likely to help great servers Williams and Opelka.

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori vs. Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz

• Defending champions keen to make a statement that prior mixed success means more than marquee value.
• Power players Rybakina and Fritz look to dominate with big serves, groundies, and a distinct blend of simmering but unwavering intensity.

Head-to-head: Classic and intriguing case of experienced doubles players versus singles specialists.