NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Open overhauled its mixed doubles tournament in hopes of drawing the top singles players.
The defending champions don't intend to move out of the way so easily.
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori earned the first win in the tournament on Tuesday, beating the No. 2-seeded team of Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina 4-2, 4-2.
Traditional doubles specialists like the Italian combo were among the biggest critics of the changes, with a format that feels more like an exhibition than one worthy of a Grand Slam trophy. The prize of $1 million to the winning team would be a huge boost to doubles players, but Errani and Vavassori are the only traditional doubles team in the event.
“We also are playing for all the doubles players who could not compete here, so we tried to do