U.S. Open to Add Qualifying Round for Mixed Doubles

The U.S. Open is adding a qualifying round to its mixed doubles tournament.

The move follows last year's event, when Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori were the only true doubles team to reach the main draw. Eight teams qualified based on combined singles rankings, and the rest received wild cards. The USTA moved the mixed doubles event to the start of the tournament last year.

Doubles players said the format functioned more as an exhibition because it largely excluded them despite a $1 million prize. The first round and quarterfinals of the mixed doubles will be played August 25, with the semifinals and final on August 26.