US Open doubles debacle starting to unravel

The cobbled-together all-star doubles event to be played in two days prior to the US Open start is starting to unravel after the injury pullout on Friday of Paula Badosa from the singles.

The WTA No. 10 who briefly touched second in the world, withdrew from the Open, with her continuing back injury worries presumably the cause.

But the withdrawal looks likely to affect the controversial mixed event which New York officials have dreamed up to replace the classic version.

Spain’s Badosa had originally teamed up with former boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas, with her subsequent partner named as Briton Jack Draper.

But now, that substitute combination looks to be a dead end with Badosa off the competitive menu.

The oddball mixed which awards USD 1 million to the winning team will be played over two days during what is normally considered qualifying week prior to the official start of the major on August 25.

Actual mixed players have complained about being left out of the draw due to the rush to sign on big singles names. 

Badosa will be replaced in the singles draw by Swiss Jil Teichmann while France’s Alize Cornet can’t seem to make her Roland Garros retirement stick, lines up as the next player into the Open field when another pullout occurs.

Main photo:- No show in US Open “oddball” mixed doubles trials for Tsitsipas and Badosa