{
  "id": 3311372,
  "title": "Sabalenka and Djokovic fall in first match as the US Open mixed doubles begins",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/sabalenka-and-djokovic-fall-in-first-match-as-the-us-open-mixed-3311372",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T16:53:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/us-open-mixed-doubles-b08f9a5350775586ea0efe25144664be"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic met their match in the first round of the U.S. Open mixed doubles tournament. The Belarusian and Serbian, both ranked at the top of their respective singles categories, started strongly but were unable to maintain their advantage. They were defeated 1-4, 4-2 (10-2) by Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten. Siniakova, ranked No. 1 in women's doubles, secured the win with an ace on match point. Patten expressed his delight at the moment, stating, \"Kat acing Novak on match point was pretty fun.\" This match was part of a new format for the tournament, which began two days before the singles main draw, featuring a scoring system designed to ensure short, fast-paced games. The U.S. Open offered a $1 million prize for the winning doubles team. Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz battled later in the first round, while other notable matches included Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils against Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik against Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arevalo.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic will have to hope to win another U.S. Open singles title. They were no match for two of the top doubles players in tennis. Sabalenka and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Sabalenka and Djokovic fall in first match as the US Open mixed doubles begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/sabalenka-and-djokovic-fall-in-first-match-as-the-us-open-mixed",
        "published": "2026-08-25T16:46:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}