The US Open’s mixed doubles competition has burst onto the scene this week in New York, delivering a whirlwind of upsets, comebacks, and star-studded showdowns. With a revamped format and a staggering $1 million prize awaiting the champions, the action at Flushing Meadows has been nothing short of electric—especially for Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, who have defied fatigue and the odds to surge into the semi-finals.
Swiatek’s journey to New York was nothing less than a sprint. Just a day before the mixed doubles opener, she fought through a grueling two-hour battle in Cincinnati against Jasmine Paolini, clinching her first Cincinnati Open title. No time for celebration, though—Swiatek was on a plane to New York almost immediately, arriving at her hotel in the early hours of Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Despite the tight turnaround, she showed no signs of weariness as she teamed up with Ruud for their first-ever mixed doubles partnership at the US Open.
“Honestly the last two days have felt like one day, but I’m super happy to be here,” Swiatek said after their opening win, clearly thrilled to be back in action so quickly. For Ruud, joining forces with the red-hot Swiatek was an opportunity he wasn’t about to pass up. “She’s on the winning train these days so I’m just jumping on the train and let’s see if we can win some more before the mixed doubles is over,” Ruud said, capturing the spirit of their partnership.
The duo wasted no time making their mark. In their first match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Swiatek and Ruud dispatched the American pairing of Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe in just 39 minutes, claiming a 4-1, 4-2 victory under the blazing New York sun. With barely 20 minutes to catch their breath, they returned to the court for their quarter-final clash against Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti. Once again, Swiatek and Ruud delivered, winning 5-3, 4-2 and booking their place in Wednesday’s semi-finals.
For Swiatek, the rapid-fire schedule seemed to be a blessing rather than a burden. “Honestly I think actually it’s kind of nice for the recovery,” she reflected. “To have another task and to not let yourself be lazy but also focused on the next exciting thing.” Her resilience and focus have become hallmarks of her career, and this week’s back-to-back performances are only adding to her legend.
Ruud, too, was quick to highlight Swiatek’s determination. “I think everyone should show some appreciation to Iga today. She only got to her hotel 12 hours ago at 2:30am, and she’s here playing,” he said, clearly impressed by his partner’s stamina and drive. Their chemistry on court was evident, with both players complementing each other’s strengths and adapting quickly despite minimal practice time together.
Next up for Swiatek and Ruud are the top seeds, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, who have been equally impressive in their route to the semi-finals. Pegula and Draper started their campaign by eliminating the high-profile duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu 4-2, 4-2 in the first round. They followed up with a dominant 4-1, 4-1 win over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva in the quarters. The stage is set for a blockbuster clash, with both pairs looking to secure their spot in the final and a shot at the record-breaking prize.
The revamped mixed doubles draw has been a highlight of the US Open’s opening week, drawing in sixteen pairs and plenty of star power. The competition’s format is designed for fast-paced action: short sets to four games, no-advantage scoring, tiebreakers at four-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. The final itself will be a best-of-three sets to six games, featuring no-advantage scoring and a 10-point tiebreaker if the match goes the distance. With $1 million on the line, every point has carried extra weight—and the tension has been palpable.
Elsewhere in the draw, surprises have been the order of the day. Medvedev and Andreeva, after ousting Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic 4-2, 5-3 in the first round, couldn’t maintain their momentum against Pegula and Draper. Venus Williams, a US tennis icon, and her partner Reilly Opelka bowed out to Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev, falling 4-2, 5-4. Italy’s reigning champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani continued their strong form, toppling the second seeds Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz 4-2, 4-2.
Not every headline has been about on-court heroics. World number one Jannik Sinner was forced to withdraw from the mixed doubles due to illness after retiring in the first set of his Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner and his planned partner Katerina Siniakova were replaced in the draw by Americans Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison, underscoring the unpredictable nature of this year’s competition.
The US Open mixed doubles event is being held over just two days—Tuesday and Wednesday—before the main singles draws kick off on Sunday, August 24, 2025. This condensed schedule has added an extra layer of intensity, with players needing to recover quickly and adapt to the unique scoring system. For Swiatek, who is also among the favorites for the women’s singles title, the whirlwind week is just getting started. Her recent triumphs at Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open have propelled her back up to No. 2 in the WTA Rankings, and many pundits see her as the player to beat in New York.
Fans and analysts alike are watching the mixed doubles unfold with keen interest. The presence of stars like Swiatek, Ruud, Pegula, Draper, Alcaraz, and Raducanu has given the event a major boost, and the prospect of a million-dollar payday is keeping everyone on their toes. With the semi-finals set for Wednesday and the final looming, anticipation is building for what could be a historic conclusion to this innovative tournament.
As the US Open’s mixed doubles competition heads into its decisive stages, all eyes are on Swiatek and Ruud. Can they maintain their momentum and deliver another upset against the top seeds? Or will Pegula and Draper continue their dominant run? One thing’s for sure: with so much at stake and so many stars in the mix, Flushing Meadows is serving up drama, excitement, and tennis at its very best.
The action is ongoing, and with every match, the stakes get higher. Stay tuned as the mixed doubles drama at the US Open continues to unfold—there’s plenty more to come before the first Grand Slam trophy of the week is hoisted.
