Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, a highly anticipated mixed doubles team, have been eliminated from the U.S. Open after a first-round loss. The pair fell to Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten in a deciding tiebreak on Tuesday.
Djokovic and Sabalenka secured a quick 4-1 victory in the first set of the mixed doubles match, which consists of only four games. However, Siniakova and Patten rallied to win the second set 4-2. The match was ultimately decided in a 10-point tiebreak, which Siniakova and Patten dominated, winning 10-2.
Siniakova and Patten are set to face the husband-and-wife duo of Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. For Djokovic and Sabalenka, the mixed doubles event served as preparation for the singles main draw, which begins Sunday, Aug. 30.
The men's and women's singles fields are considered wide open heading into the year's final Grand Slam. Djokovic, 39, faces a strong field that includes potential challenges from players like Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Rafael Jodar, and Arthur Fils. His path could also be influenced by the withdrawals of Jannik Sinner due to a knee injury and Carlos Alcaraz due to a wrist injury. Concerns about Djokovic's fitness linger after he collapsed in the heat in Cincinnati.
For Sabalenka, the pressure is on to secure a Grand Slam title this year and defend her U.S. Open crown. The 28-year-old has not reached another tournament final since winning the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami Open) in March. She experienced early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and suffered a significant loss to Sara Bejlek in Cincinnati.
Elena Rybakina was also a contender for the No. 1 ranking but suffered a knee injury during her quarterfinal match. As of Tuesday afternoon, Sabalenka is listed as a +320 favorite for the U.S. Open women's singles title. The singles main draws are scheduled to be announced on Thursday.