The US Open mixed doubles event has quickly turned into one of the sport’s more closely watched storylines since it was introduced in 2025, with several marquee pairings drawing attention.

Last year featured combinations such as Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, and this season’s field again includes some of the biggest names in tennis. Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka stand out as the leading attraction, while Alexander Zverev has paired with Taylor Townsend and Iga Swiatek is set to team with Casper Ruud.

For Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter, though, the question remains unresolved. The couple were denied a wildcard for last year’s competition, leaving them unable to take part. At the Washington Open, de Minaur was asked whether they would be involved this time, only weeks after the pair were married.

“Yeah, we’ve entered. We’ve entered, I don’t think we’ll we’ll get in on our rankings, on our combined rankings,” said the Australian in Washington.

De Minaur then made clear that their hopes are tied to a wildcard once again.

“So we’ll probably have to rely on a wild card,” he added. “So, we’re hoping that maybe this year we get a run and we can play as a married couple.”

Boulter is currently world No 71, which explains why direct acceptance appears unlikely. A wildcard would therefore be the most realistic route, especially after their wedding, even if other notable names are also still waiting to confirm their plans.

Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams, who have been rumoured to play together, are not on the initial entry list, and world No 1 Jannik Sinner is absent as well. Venus Williams has also not confirmed her participation, despite playing doubles several times this year with Alex Eala, Boulter and Diana Shnaider. It would still be a surprise if she does not appear.

Venus Williams is also reportedly preparing to end her career at the US Open, where she has won four titles across singles and doubles. That would bring a 22-year career to a close.

Last year’s wildcards went to Olga Danilović and Novak Djokovic, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti, Naomi Osaka and Gaël Monfils, Raducanu and Alcaraz, Townsend and Ben Shelton, and Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka.

Alex Eala’s strong run continued in Washington as she fought back from a difficult position to defeat 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and advance to the quarter-finals of the WTA 500 event.

The 21-year-old recovered from 5-1 down in the second set before closing out a 6-2, 7-6(4) victory, a result that drew a loud response from her supporters in the US capital. It was another notable step in a fast-building stretch of form for the Philippines star, whose recent grass-court season included a title at the Birmingham Open and a run to the last-16 at Wimbledon.

One of the defining moments of that Wimbledon campaign came when she beat defending champion Iga Swiatek, a victory that carried her into the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. She has since carried that confidence into Washington, where an opening-round win over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen was followed by this hard-earned success against Fernandez.

Against Fernandez, Eala relied on the pace and heaviness of her shots, along with clear resilience, to turn the match around after her opponent had looked in control of the second set. She also had to manage windy conditions, while the strong backing from the stands remained a constant factor throughout the contest.

“Leylah put me in some difficult positions, but I’m really happy about how I fought and hung in there,” declared Eala.

“When you know you levels drop and you want to do better, patience is key to work it out. A strong mentality in trying to find solutions.”

Eala also praised her coach Joan Bosch after the match, and the noise from the Filipino fans prompted a big reaction when it was mentioned during her on-court interview.

The win lifts her further in the WTA Rankings, where she is now up to No 28 in the live standings. If she wins three more matches this week and takes the title, she will confirm a breakthrough into the top 20.

Alex Eala made a sharp start to her Washington Open campaign, coming from a set and a break down to defeat Qinwen Zheng and move into the second round.

The Filipina was tested early, but she again showed the resilience that has become a feature of her rise. Against a Grand Slam finalist, Eala recovered to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and book a meeting with Leylah Fernandez. It will be the second time the two have faced each other, after Fernandez beat her at the Stuttgart Open earlier this year.

Eala is listed at World No. 28, yet her profile continues to grow far beyond that ranking. Washington Open tournament director Mark Ein said the interest around her has been striking, with her presence driving ticket demand across the event.

“I will say, over the last month the ticketing team says at least 80%, if not more, of the requests in this tournament are about when is Alex Eala playing,” said tournament director Mark Ein.

“Honestly, I think it’s more, and they just didn’t want to say it was more, but they’re, like, virtually all. It’s not an exaggeration. That’s actually what they tell me.

“When you look at the amazing players here and how many great stars there are, it says something about Alex’s following. Obviously she’s been an icon, become an icon in the Philippines, but worldwide. So there’s obviously Filipinos everywhere.

“I will say, earlier this year in the early spring our team said, this is a phenomenon that’s spreading, and we should try to get Alex to come to Washington. Having her here is honestly one of the really great things that’s already happened this year.”

Eala was informed of the remark after her win over Zheng and gave a brief reaction.

“Wow, that’s amazing! responded the 21-year-old Filipina star.

Her appeal has been clear throughout the season. Fans have packed her matches at the Australian Open, where queues stretched well beyond the stadium. She was also the most followed player during the Middle Eastern swing, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and that support has carried into the United States and Europe. At Wimbledon, the crowd warmed to her run to the fourth round, a campaign highlighted by her win over Iga Swiatek, and Washington has followed the same pattern.