Maria Sakkari and Karen Khachanov reacted to their absence from the US Open mixed doubles entry list with a lighthearted social media exchange. The world No. 33 and No. 26 highlighted how some lower-ranked players secured spots in the revamped field.
Sakkari posted on Instagram that Khachanov "looks like we didn’t make the cut." Khachanov replied that they appeared to need a top-10 ranking to participate.
The omissions stood out because Kei Nishikori, ranked No. 721, and Leylah Fernandez, ranked No. 34, both received places alongside higher-profile partners.
The US Open expanded the mixed doubles format this year to include a qualifying round on August 24. The main draw follows on August 25, with semifinals and final set for August 26.
The first six teams entered based on combined singles rankings include Novak Djokovic with Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev with Taylor Townsend.
