A Rare Morning Appointment
Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils kicked off the US Open Mixed Doubles in style, dispatching Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-1, 4-1 to advance straight to the quarter-finals. The match was the first scheduled on Louis Armstrong Arena and tipped off at 10am, an hour that left Svitolina reaching back into childhood memories. She noted with a laugh that she hadn't played that early in roughly 20 years, joking that the last time was probably when she was under 12. Despite the unusual hour, a strong crowd filled the stands to watch.
Eala and Auger-Aliassime earned their spots in the draw through their singles rankings, while Svitolina and Monfils received a wildcard for the revamped Mixed Doubles format. The result was one-sided from the start, with the married couple maintaining focus while also clearly enjoying the occasion together.
Pressure, Fun, and What Comes Next
Svitolina described the outing as a genuinely enjoyable experience, emphasizing that staying focused while having fun was central to their game plan. Monfils was equally enthusiastic, admitting he felt significant pressure stepping onto the court alongside his wife for the very first time, but was pleased with how he managed those nerves.
The couple now waits to discover their quarter-final opponent, with that spot to be decided between the pairing of Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova against Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic. The Mixed Doubles final is scheduled for the evening session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, making this format a true highlight of Opening Week. TennisDraw users who backed Svitolina and Monfils as a strong wildcard pairing are looking smart after this convincing opening performance.
