Top-Seeded Djokovic and Sabalenka Upset in US Open Mixed Doubles Opener
The No. 1 seeded mixed doubles team of Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated in the first round of the 2026 US Open. They lost to Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, who sealed the match with an ace. The final score was 1-4, 4-2, 10-2 in the match tiebreak.
The first-set victory for Djokovic and Sabalenka came on a three-point run to close the frame, but the momentum shifted when Patten and Siniakova answered from a 2-1 deficit in the second set, winning three consecutive points to force the decisive match tiebreak. There, the world's top-ranked mixed doubles pair dominated, with Siniakova delivering an ace past Djokovic to seal the upset.
The match was a late substitution, as the original opponents were Frances Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez, but Tiafoe's injury withdrawal on Monday reshuffled the bracket and handed the top seeds a formidable opening test. Patten acknowledged the team's slow start, noting the format's quick first set, before praising their tiebreak execution. The winners immediately advanced to face Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
This early exit could reshape the narrative of the 2026 US Open, as the tournament's most marketable mixed doubles pairing is gone before the second round. Fans who tuned in specifically for Djokovic and Sabalenka's star power may lose interest in the event, potentially affecting viewership and attendance for subsequent mixed doubles matches. The result also may elevate the profile of Siniakova and Patten, demonstrating that specialized doubles expertise can overcome singles star power in this format.