NEW YORK (AP) — The new U.S. Open mixed doubles tournament drew plenty of criticism for everything from its format to its field.

With mostly singles players, some who rarely play doubles at all, it felt less like a Grand Slam championship than an exhibition — which is what one player referred to it as Tuesday.

The fast-pace event, with shorter matches and a smaller field, already has two teams halfway to a trophy — and a $1 million prize. Whoever wins won't apologize for the way they got it.

“This is the official mixed doubles. If we get to the final tomorrow, I’m sure everyone is going to be pretty determined to try to win this thing,” Casper Ruud said.

Ruud and Iga Swiatek, the No. 3 seeds, easily won their two matches to advance to Wednesday's semis. So did defending champions S

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