Djokovic, Sabalenka lose first U.S. Open mixed doubles
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were knocked out of U.S. Open mixed doubles Tuesday, falling 1-4, 4-2, 10-2 to Henry Patten and Kateřina Siniaková. The No. 1 seeds lost their first match of open tennis 2026 after a second-set rally and a decisive 10-2 match tiebreak at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Key Takeaways
- Top-seeded Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka lost their mixed doubles opener at the 2026 U.S. Open.
- Henry Patten and Kateřina Siniaková won 1-4, 4-2, 10-2 after rallying from a first-set deficit.
- Both Patten and Siniaková entered as the No. 1 doubles players on the men's and women's tours.
- The pair replaced Frances Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez after Tiafoe's injury withdrawal.
- Djokovic and Sabalenka can now shift focus to their singles campaigns in New York.
The early exit stunned fans who expected star power to carry the day in Celebrity Breaking News circles. Instead, specialist doubles form ruled Fan Week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
How did the mixed doubles match unfold?
Djokovic and Sabalenka looked in control early, taking the first set 4-1. Mixed-doubles matches at the U.S. Open are best-of-three, with sets played to four games.
Patten and Siniaková answered in the second set. They seized the opening game, dropped the next two, then won two straight to lead 3-2. Djokovic and Sabalenka pushed in game six but could not force the set, falling 4-2.
That sent the contest to a 10-point match tiebreak. After the score reached 1-1, Patten and Siniaková pulled away and closed 10-2, ending the No. 1 seeds' mixed doubles run in the first round.
Why were Patten and Siniaková favored despite the seeding?
Djokovic is the fifth-ranked men's singles player and Sabalenka is the women's world No. 1. Those rankings, however, reflect singles tennis.
Heading into the event, Patten and Siniaková each ranked No. 1 in doubles on the men's and women's sides. Their pedigree made the upset less surprising than the scoreline's star names suggested, according to Yahoo Sports.
What changed after Frances Tiafoe's withdrawal?
Djokovic and Sabalenka were originally scheduled to face Frances Tiafoe and Leylah Fernandez. Tiafoe withdrew Monday because of an injury, forcing a schedule rework that paired the top seeds against Patten and Siniaková.
USA Today reported Tiafoe had dealt with a wrist issue in recent weeks, including a cyst and surgery after the Canadian Open. He remains entered in U.S. Open singles, but he will not play mixed doubles.
Patten and Siniaková had won two qualifying matches to reach the main draw before Tuesday's result moved them on. Djokovic and Sabalenka now turn toward singles, while the doubles No. 1s stay focused on mixed doubles.