All eyes will soon be on Flushing Meadows as the world awaits Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu’s first match as a doubles pairing.
The star duo are one of 16 teams competing in the new-look mixed doubles at the US Open this year.
Alcaraz and Raducanu will need to hit the ground running though as they take on British men’s number one Jack Draper and billionaire heiress Jessica Pegula in the first round.
If a match against Draper and Pegula wasn’t already difficult enough, Alcaraz will have to play the match less than 24 hours after he takes on Jannik Sinner in the Cincinnati Masters final.
But the Spaniard will no doubt get himself fired up for the contest given his close friendship with Raducanu.
Alcaraz & Raducanu v Draper & Pegula: Start time and how to follow
The showdown of Alcaraz and Raducanu v Draper and Pegula will take place on Tuesday, August 19 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
There isn’t an exact start time given for the contest as there are already two mixed doubles matches taking place beforehand.
However, the US Open schedule has indicated the match will not begin before 2pm local time, which is 7pm in the UK.
Tennis fans in England will be able to catch Alcaraz and Raducanu’s mixed doubles debut via Sky Sports.
The coverage of the US Open mixed doubles begins on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Tennis at 4pm UK time.
How does the new-look US Open mixed doubles work?
Given the proximity to the start of the main draw, the revamped mixed doubles at the US Open takes place on August 19 and 20 this week.
Games will be played at the Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium.
A total of 16 teams will compete, with half of the entries awarded based on the combined singles rankings of the pairs while the remaining half comprises of wildcard selections.
Matches will be the best of three sets, up to four games and with no advantage points.
Third sets will also be replaced by a 10-point match tiebreak.
For the final, the number of games needed to win each set will be increased to six.
However, the showpiece match will remain the best of three sets with a match tiebreak for the decider.
US Open Mixed Doubles Championship teams
Automatic qualifiers:
- Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper
- Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz
- Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
- Amanda Anisimova and Hulger Rune
- Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev
- Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev
- Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe
- Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev
Wildcards:
- Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic
- Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori
- Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti
- Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils
- Katerina Siniakova and Jannik Sinner
- Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz
- Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton
- Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka
What is the prize money on offer in US Open mixed doubles?
The winning team will pocket a cool $1million (£750,000) for their troubles at Flushing Meadows.
It is a substantial increase on the prize money that has previously been on offer for the winners of the mixed doubles event at the US Open.
Last year’s winners Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori took home just $200,000 (£150,000).
US Open Mixed Doubles First Round Matches
Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper v Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz
Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz v Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori
Amanda Anisimova and Hulger Rune v Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton
Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev v Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic
Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe v Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev v Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka
Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti v Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils
Katerina Siniakova and Jannik Sinner v Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev