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Preview US Open Mixed Doubles Championship Day 2: Semifinals and Finals approach, with Jack Draper, Casper Ruud & Iga Swiatek in action

Originally posted on TennisUpToDate.com | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 11:38 AM ET

After an action-packed opening day of the reinvented US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, the tournament now reaches its business end with the semifinals and final set to unfold. In a compressed two-day format that has added urgency to every round, four teams remain in the hunt for the $1 million prize pot. Big names, defending champions, and unexpected partnerships are all in the mix, setting up a thrilling conclusion in New York. Here is a breakdown of each matchup, along with what to expect.

Jack Draper & Jessica Pegula vs Casper Ruud & Iga Swiatek

The headline-grabbing semifinal features both seeds actually making it through their sections, with top-seed pairings Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula taking on Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud. Originally paired with Qinwen Zheng, who had to withdraw due to her undergoing surgery was replaced by Paula Badosa, who also ended up pulling out of the tournament because of her persistent back problems. Eventually, Draper found a pairing that stuck with the experienced doubles Grand Slam finalist Jessica Pegula.

Their route to the semifinals has been thoroughly convincing and efficient. To begin, Pegula and Draper dispatched one of the biggest attention-stealing pairings by defeating Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, 4-2, 4-2. The Spaniard managed to arrive in New York just 24 hours after his 22nd title victory in Cincinnati and brought the energy for all of Arthur Ashe Stadium to enjoy.

In the next round, the British and American duo dominated the Russian pairing of Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev, winning 4-1, 4-1 in just 36 minutes. Andreeva and Medvedev managed to beat Serbian stars Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic 4-2, 5-3, but Pegula and Draper just proved to be too strong.

On the other hand, the number three seeds Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud also seemed to have a smooth sailing through their first two rounds at the tournament. During the round of 16, the pairing defeated the American duo Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe 4-1, 4-2 in 39 minutes, immediately displaying the chemistry Swiatek and Ruud have. The Norwegian and Pole resurgence continued in their next match as they made light work of Lorenzo Musetti and Caty McNally who was a quick replacement for Jasmine Paolini who withdrew due to wanting to rest after Cincinnati.

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Looking at this first semifinal matchup, both pairings have displayed immense talent and cohesion together, meaning it will be a tight affair to see who will be victorious. However, with Pegula being the only one in this match showcasing a consistent and successful doubles career, one might favour the British and American duo. Nonetheless, this semifinal will be one to keep an eye on to start the day.

Danielle Collins & Christian Harrison vs Sara Errani & Andrea Vavassori

The second semifinal sees the experienced Italian pairing of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori face the unseeded yet dangerous duo of Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison. This matchup is intriguing as it pits seasoned doubles professionals with an unexpected pairing that has shown their skills in the previous two rounds.

Collins and Harrison started off with a bit of a battle but a dominant display by defeating Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev 4-0, 5-3 during their first round. The American's quarterfinal matchup was a tougher bout seeing as they would have to play women's doubles world number 1 Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton. In spite of that Harrison and Collins powered through and took out the American wildcards by winning 4-1, 5-4 (2) in a second set tiebreak.

Meanwhile, the 2024 US Open mixed doubles champions entered the tournament as wildcards but have definitely been standing on business. Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori began their title defence with a statement victory over the number 2 seeds and Eisenhower Cup champions Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, winning 4-2, 4-2. The Italian stars continued their dominance by winning their quarterfinal match against Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev 4-1, 5-4 (4).

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Looking ahead to this clash, the key battle will likely revolve around Collins’s baseline aggression versus Errani’s counterpunching doubles IQ. If Collins can dictate rallies early and Harrison backs it up with effective net coverage, the Americans could unsettle the defending champions. However, Errani and Vavassori thrive on structure, forcing their opponents into awkward positions and turning points into long exchanges where their experience shines through.

With both semifinals set to take place earlier in the day, the winners will have only a few hours to regroup before returning for the championship match. That condensed turnaround could favor teams with greater stamina and experience in doubles play. As the semifinals take centre stage on Arthur Ashe Stadium, one thing is certain: the finals will deliver a compelling showdown, whether it is Swiatek chasing another slice of Grand Slam history, Draper and Pegula breaking through, or the Italians defending their crown.

This article first appeared on TennisUpToDate.com and was syndicated with permission.

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