The US Open has tried to do something different in 2026 with its mixed doubles by pairing highly entertaining and excellent players against others of the same ilk. The first such match of the few-day main draw of the event featured Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime versus Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils.
One might have assumed Svitolina and Monfils would have an advantage over most other duos because they are married and likely play tennis together quite a bit. That doesn't mean they are prepared to play a high-level match, however.
None of the players involved in the match have had long-standing success in doubles, to be fair, and only Auger-Aliassime had been ranked inside the top 100 in doubles. The Canadian reached No. 60 before, but that was five years ago.
Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina defeat Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime in mixed doubles at the 2026 US Open
His previous prowess came back quickly, though, at least in the first game. He moved well, hit two amazing cross-court winners, and the Eala and FAA team jumped out to a one-game lead. That momentum wouldn't last long, however.
Svitolina was the main reason. She wasn't afraid to hit forehands with bombast, often taking on Monfils one-on-one and getting the better of the situation. Eala and Auger-Aliassime didn't communicate well enough, and their opponents took control.
Auger-Aliassime also hit two double faults in the final game of the set as Monfils and Svitolina took the opening set 4-1. (Mixed doubles play only sets to four at this year's US Open, and doesn't have any ad points, if needed.)
While none of the players involved likely have any aspirations for long-term mixed doubles success, both teams wanted to win, of course. They are professional competitors who didn't want to let their teammates down. Plus, the low-stress match was a good warm-up for the main draw of the final major of the year that begins on Sunday, August 30.
Unfortunately for Alexandra Eala fans, it was often she who was letting Felix Auger-Aliassime down. She made too many unforced errors in set one and early in the second set, perhaps not as attuned to playing doubles as the other three players involved in the match.
After a break of Eala and Auger-Aliassime at 2-1 in the second set, all Svitolina, the best player on the court in the match, and Monfils simply needed to serve out the match. After a tight game, they were able to do so and win the set 4-1.
Monfils and Svitolina will next face the winner of the doubles match that features Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka versus Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten. That match will be played later on Tuesday as the mixed doubles part of the US Open is compressed into a main draw of two days.
While Djokovic and Sabalenka are by far the superior players in singles, both Patten and Siniakova have reached No. 1 in doubles during 2026. In other words, while Sabalenka and Djokovic are the top seeds, they likely will lose.
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