Just In: Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula left off US Open entry list in worrying sign
The US Open has released its first official entry list for the upcoming mixed doubles competition. While plenty of star-studded teams signed up for the tournament, which was revamped last year to entice top singles players to compete, only 16 can make it into the small field. Six teams have earned their spot via direct entry from their combined rankings, while there are eight wildcards – five of which have been announced. Another two get in via qualifying.
But there are a few notable absences on the current confirmed entry lists for the main draw and qualifying competitions, including Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, who reached the semi-finals of the inaugural new-look competition last summer.
It’s a worrying sign that Draper, a former world No. 4 who has dropped to No. 143 following a year of injury woes, will not be able to compete in mixed doubles because he’ll have to go through qualifying for the singles field. The Brit, 24, was ranked too low to make it into the entry list.
As a former semi-finalist in Flushing Meadows, Draper could still receive a main draw wildcard. But after suffering back-to-back early exits at the recent Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati, the 24-year-old admitted that he wasn’t expecting one. Instead, during the US Open’s ‘fan week’ – the week before the main draws get underway, when the two-day mixed doubles tournament is staged – he could be in qualifying.
As well as Draper and Pegula, the star-studded team of Venus Williams and Alexander Bublik have not appeared on the first entry list for the US Open mixed doubles. Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik, Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, and newlyweds Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur are also not in the initial lineup, despite signing up together.
There are still three wildcards up for grabs, and three spots left in the one-day qualifying tournaments, where two teams will win a place in the main draw. And it remains to be seen whether any new contenders, like Serena Williams, nab any of the remaining wildcards.
The blockbuster duo of Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic lead the direct acceptances into the main draw, as they currently have a combined ranking of No. 6. Reigning champions and doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have received a wildcard. Doubles world No. 1s Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten headline the qualifying draw.
The full US Open mixed doubles entry list
Main draw
Direct acceptance
Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic
Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz
Diana Shnaider and Daniil Medvedev
Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli
Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien
Two qualifiers TBA
Wildcards
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori
Alexandra Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime
Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe
Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev
Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils
Three WCs TBC
Qualifying draw
Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten
Gabriela Dabrowski and Harri Heliovaara
Luisa Stefani and Neal Skupski
Aleksandra Krunic and Mate Pavic
Jelena Ostapenko and Marcelo Arevalo
Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool
Two teams TBA
