Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka Draw Former US Open Finalist in Blockbuster Matchup

Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic may be the most accomplished partnership in the US Open mixed doubles draw, but the tournament’s No. 1 seeds were not handed a ceremonial opening round.

Sabalenka and Djokovic will face Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe on  Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

The match’s specific court assignment and start time had not been announced as of Sunday. Play begins at 10 a.m. ET in Louis Armstrong Stadium and 11 a.m. inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, with first-round matches followed by the quarterfinals.

ESPN2 and ESPN+ will carry the mixed doubles tournament from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional coverage will stream exclusively on ESPN+ from 3 to 5 p.m.

The winning team will return later Tuesday to face eitherAlex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime or married couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils.

How Sabalenka and Djokovic Teamed Up for US Open

Getty Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic react during a charity match ahead of the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 11, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

Sabalenka and Djokovic have built a playful friendship during their years near the top of their respective tours. Their press conference exchanges, practices and social media appearances have frequently entertained fans at Grand Slam tournaments.

When Sabalenka was asked how their partnership came together, she jokingly placed the responsibility on the 24-time major champion.

“He was begging me,” Sabalenka said. “He was really begging me to play, and I was like, ‘OK, whatever. Let’s go. Let’s do it.’”

The partnership combines the current women’s world No. 1 with a 24-time Grand Slam champion and former men’s No. 1. Sabalenka supplies overwhelming baseline power and one of the strongest serves on the women’s tour. Djokovic brings an elite return, exceptional court awareness and the most extensive pressure-match résumé in the field.

Their opponents were drawn together by a different kind of chemistry.

Fernandez has described her relationship with Tiafoe as similar to that of siblings. The Canadian said Tiafoe’s personality and humor have made them comfortable around each other, an important advantage in a condensed event that gives new teams little time to find a rhythm.

Breaking Down the Blockbuster First Round

Getty Leylah Fernandez of Canada returns a shot to Naomi Osaka of Japan during day eight of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 09, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.

Sabalenka and Djokovic will enter as favorites, but Fernandez and Tiafoe possess the tools to create an upset.

Fernandez’s left-handed serve can pull Sabalenka outside the doubles alley and open space for Tiafoe at the net. The 2021 US Open singles finalist is also an experienced doubles player whose quick hands and early returns should translate well to the shortened format.

Tiafoe thrives in energetic New York settings. His athleticism, improvisation and willingness to crowd the net could force Djokovic and Sabalenka to hit difficult passing shots rather than dictate from the baseline.

The top seeds’ clearest advantage will be on return. Djokovic can neutralize Tiafoe’s first serve, while Sabalenka can attack Fernandez’s second delivery and immediately seize control of points. If they consistently put returns in play, their combined power may overwhelm the wild-card team.

Communication is the unknown. Neither partnership has an established competitive history, but Fernandez and Tiafoe’s familiarity could help them handle the rapid decisions doubles demands.

Matches through the semifinals feature sets played to four games, no-ad scoring and a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a third set. The championship match uses traditional six-game sets.

That format turns every break point into a potential match changer. Sabalenka and Djokovic have the bigger names and the No. 1 seed, but Fernandez and Tiafoe have enough crowd appeal, speed and doubles instinct to make their opening match far more dangerous than the bracket suggests.

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