The 2025 US Open is set to ignite Flushing Meadows with a reimagined mixed doubles championship, and former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev is ready to make waves alongside rising star Mirra Andreeva. Scheduled for August 19-20 during US Open Fan Week, this revamped tournament has attracted an electrifying lineup of top ATP and WTA players, drawn by a $1 million prize pool and a condensed format designed to showcase singles stars. Medvedev, however, has a specific goal in mind: a rematch against Italian doubles specialist Sara Errani, who, alongside Andrea Vavassori, handed him and Andreeva a stinging defeat at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “For sure would love to play them in US Open. It’s going to be fun event,” Medvedev declared, his competitive fire stoked by the memory of that loss.
The new mixed doubles format, featuring best-of-three sets with short sets to four games, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a third set, has lured an unprecedented array of talent. Medvedev and Andreeva, who confirmed their partnership earlier this year, are among 16 teams vying for glory, with eight qualifying via combined singles rankings and eight via wildcards. Their previous collaboration at the 2024 Olympics ended in a 6-3, 6-2 first-round loss to Errani and Vavassori, a result that left Medvedev reflecting on the Italians’ formidable synergy. “They have this good chemistry where of course maybe it would be even better if she would serve better, and Andrea takes big space at the net, so at one moment it stresses you,” he said. The defeat was particularly frustrating for Medvedev, who admitted to struggling under pressure: “I remember at the beginning of the match I was returning her serve well, and we got a bit unlucky with Mirra not to break, and then step by step during the match, I felt so much pressure that I have to do good with this serve that I actually was suddenly struggling.”
Medvedev, currently ranked No. 14 after a challenging 2025 season that saw early exits at Wimbledon and the French Open, is no stranger to the US Open’s bright lights, having won the men’s singles title in 2021. His doubles experience, however, is limited, with no ATP doubles finals to his name. In contrast, Andreeva, the 18-year-old world No. 7, brings a wealth of doubles pedigree, including a silver medal from the 2024 Olympics with Diana Shnaider and titles at the WTA 500 in Brisbane and the Miami Open. “It’s a lot of fun,” Andreeva said of playing with Medvedev. “It may not have worked out at the Olympics, but hopefully it will at the US Open. We can develop a good tandem.” Their partnership blends Medvedev’s tactical acumen and powerful baseline game with Andreeva’s versatility and doubles savvy, making them a compelling duo.
The Russian pair faces stiff competition, with top teams like Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro, Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, and Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz also in the mix. Medvedev’s fixation on Errani stems from her doubles prowess—seven Grand Slam titles, including last year’s US Open mixed doubles crown with Vavassori. He jokingly remarked, “Yeah, first of all, I’d like to play Sara in singles. Maybe with this serve I could have done better because you have bigger court.” He also noted the challenge of her slower serve, comparing it to players like Frances Tiafoe and Learner Tien, who use deliberate pace to disrupt opponents. “Some second serves can be slow. In singles it doesn’t bother me. I probably prefer a slower serve than a faster serve,” he added.
The US Open’s bold move to schedule mixed doubles before the singles draw has sparked debate, with doubles specialists like Katerina Siniakova criticizing the format for favoring singles stars. Yet, the star power is undeniable, with nine of the top 10 ATP and WTA players participating. For Medvedev, the event is a chance to redeem his Olympic disappointment and fine-tune his game for the singles competition. “Usually you can’t play mixed because it coincides with singles event but now it’s scheduled the week before the tournament. Prize money is good. Why not play? Mirra is one of the best on the tour, I’m lucky to partner her,” he told reporters. As the tennis world converges on New York, Medvedev and Andreeva’s quest for redemption against Errani and Vavassori promises to be a highlight of an already thrilling tournament.
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