Pegula backs mixed doubles overhaul, slams missteps

World No.4 Jessica Pegula said the controversial mixed doubles event at the US Open could generate strong spectator interest but urged organisers to improve communication with players before making major format changes.

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The year’s final Grand Slam announced in February that its mixed doubles competition, which will offer US$1 million in prize money, would take place from Aug 19-20 ahead of the singles main draw the following week.

The competition's format was also overhauled to feature a field of 16 teams —half of the 32 teams that competed last year — with eight entries based on the combined singles rankings of players and eight wild cards.

Matches will be best of three sets, with short sets to four games, with no-advantage scoring, tiebreakers at four-all and a 10-point tiebreak in lieu of a third set. The final will be a best-of-three set match to six games.