This Week in Tennis: The US Open Begins

Welcome to This Week in Tennis, where we catch up on all the latest and biggest stories from the ATP and WTA Tours.

Errani, Vavassori Win New US Open Mixed Doubles Tournament

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori said they were playing for all the traditional pairings that were left out of the revamped US Open Mixed Doubles tournament, which focused on the inclusion of singles stars and not doubles specialists.

They were included in the draw as the only traditional doubles team and showed everyone what they could do, successfully defending their title by defeating the team of Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek 6-3, 5-7 (10-6) in the final.

US Open organizers got what they wanted, as large crowds showed up in droves to watch their favourites in doubles action.

“I think it was important for us to play,” Vavassori said. “I have to say the initiative was also important because it was really a statement that doubles can become something better. The stadium was packed. The people were enjoying it. If something doesn’t work — like, we showed today that it’s working. The people were going crazy.”

Seeded Women Falling Fast In First Round

A bevy of seeded players fell early in the women’s draw, resulting in a pair of milestone victories.

Alexandra Eala upset No. 14 Clara Tauson to become the first woman representing the Philippines to win a match at a Grand Slam. The 20-year-old, who rose to fame with her semifinal run in Miami this season, will battle Cristina Bucsa in the second round.

Janice Tjen earned the first Slam win for an Indonesian player in 22 years with her upset of Veronika Kudermetova on Sunday. She advances to the second round to battle the 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu, who earned a big win of her own over the weekend, her first in Flushing Meadows since claiming the title four years ago.

The biggest upset of the first round came at the expense of sixth-seeded American Madison Keys, who was ousted by world No. 82 Renata Zarazua.

Coming off her spectacular run at the National Bank Open, rising star Victoria Mboko could not overcome a wrist injury and dropped her first-round match to Barbora Krejcikova.