Sabalenka and Djokovic at the US Open ends badly

The Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka and the Serbian Novak Djokovic He maintains an excellent relationship off the track. They share jokes every time they meet again at a tournament, and they had wanted to share the court at a tournament for a long time. The new formula of the US Open with the mixed doubles led to a possibility that lasted 49 minutes.

Because both entered the court very smiling, although as the match went on their faces changed. They had the victory in their hands in their debut, round of 16, but theirs ended badly.

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, before the match went wrongYuki Iwamura / Ap-LaPresse

Between double faults and doubts inherent to not knowing well a doubles that they do not usually play, Sabalenka and Djokovic They let a set ball escape and 3-1 in the second, the crisis arrived.

The specialists, the Czech Katerina Siniakova and the British lefty Henry Pattenthey took advantage of their moment, went ahead and turned the score around with solvency, closing 1-4, 4-2 and 10-2 with an ‘ace’ from Siniakova with Djokovic the rest.

Third victory for a very dangerous pair in the modality, which adds three in a row since they had to go through those in the previous phase.

They will face the Ukrainian couple in the fourth quarter Elina Svitolina and the french Gael Monfilswho defeated the Filipino 4-1 and 4-1 in 39 minutes Alex Eala and the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, high-five during a mixed doubles match at the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) — Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, on the center court of the US OpenYuki Iwamura / Ap-LaPresse

The premiere of Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williamsalso against a pairing without much name but that dominates the doubles. In front, from the previous phase, the New Zealander Erin Routliffe and the British Lloyd Glasspool.

The quarterfinal match would then be played. The best of this duel would be the survivor of the Bencic-Cobolli confrontation against Townsend-Zverev.

Aryna Sabalenka She immediately focuses on the defense of the US Open individual crown and a world number one that seriously threatens the Kazakh. Elena Rybakina. Novak Djokovic continues to hunt and capture a 25th Grand Slam, at 39 years old. The paintings are drawn on Thursday, the competition begins on Sunday.