Served 5 Setter: Djokovic to Play Cincy
Plus: A scary collapse, Cruz Hewitt arrives and Alcaraz’s Knicks tribute
Welcome to your weekly 5 Setter, an express roundup of all things racquet sports with Techy Sean. In this episode:
Alexandrova collapses in the Memphis heat
Cruz Hewitt wins his first ATP match
Eala defeats the defending champ in D.C.
Draper gets a wild card into Montreal
Djokovic returns to Cincinnati
Tiebreak Trivia
Click below to watch today’s 5 Setter on YouTube, and come back here for this week’s bonus stories.
The latest stories that matter right now
Sakkari, Khachanov Stung Over US Open Mixed Doubles Omission
After the US Open announced the initial entry list for the mixed doubles tournament on Monday, Maria Sakkari posted her displeasure on X.com. Tagging Karen Khachanov, apparently her intended doubles partner, she said, “Looks like we didn’t make the cut.”
Khachanov replied, “I can see. Looks like we need to be Top 10 to play there.”
No entries have been finalized at this point. Six spots will go to teams with the best combined singles ranking (for instance, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and world No. 5 Novak Djokovic have a team ranking of No. 6). Eight spots will go to wild cards. The final two teams will be qualifiers.
Sakkari is ranked No. 33 and Khachanov is No. 26 for a combined ranking of No. 59. Several teams on the list the US Open released are ranked lower than Sakkari and Khachanov, and more than six teams have a higher ranking. Based on this list, Sakkari and Khachanov wouldn’t make the cut with their ranking; they would need a wild card.
Khachanov is right—it looks like teams with a Top 10 singles player are the only ones who will be guaranteed entry. Nothing objectionable about that.
Presumably, Sakkari and Khachanov are sore that the list implies that they are not a favored team for a wild card. Stay tuned -- the entry window closes on August 17.
Challenger Tournament Opens Wild Card Competition to Amateurs
Jack Draper is currently on the entry list for the Indiana Hardcourt Championships, a new Challenger tournament August 10 through 16 in Indianapolis. If he plays deep in Montreal or if he is offered a wild card to Cincinnati, he will have to withdraw. But for now, he is scheduled to compete on the courts of Brownsburg High School.
And if you’re a male American, you could be his opponent. There is a pathway.
The tournament is giving anyone a chance to win a wild card into the singles and doubles draws. The wild cards (one for singles, one for doubles) will be awarded to winners of a tiebreak tennis tournament on August 7 and 8.
Each match will consist of one tiebreak to seven points, ahead by two. The semis and final will be first to 10, ahead by one. Any man may enter—amateur, college player, pro. There are no age restrictions. But there is a citizenship restriction.
The wild card tournament is limited to Americans to give homegrown talent an opportunity. That’s why the tournament had to turn down Cruz Hewitt’s request for a wild card.
“We wanted our regional American college players and top junior players to have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to qualify for the main draw of an ATP 75. This is not an easy opportunity to get historically, and we wanted to provide that chance. Sometimes, one chance is enough to provide the push to a new reality,” Fields said.
Indy-based Nishesh Basavareddy has withdrawn with an injury. Bernard Tomic remains on the list, hot off his upset of Karen Khachanov in Los Cabos this week. Tickets to the tournament are $10 per day and $68 for the whole week.
Quick Hits
Some doubles players are mic’d up in Washington, D.C, during practice, matches and downtime. Clips are posted on the tournament’s social media. This smack-talk session is the best one.
Ajla Tomljanovic is out for the rest of the season to deal with injuries. No chance of a rematch with Serena Williams at the US Open. Here’s her statement. (The First Serve)
Peyton Stearns is working with coach David Witt, per the Jacksonville center where she trained last week.
Amanda Anisimova trained with her former coach, Hendrik Vleeshouwers, a few days ago, sparking speculation of a reunion. They previously split in March. Here’s the receipt.
Alex Michelsen vs. a heckler in D.C. ⬇️
The Weekend Draw
Citi Open
ATP/WTA 500, hard court
Washington, D.C.
Friday, July 31: Quarterfinals
Saturday, Aug. 1: Semifinals
Sunday, Aug. 2: Finals
Mifel Tennis Open
ATP 250, hard court
Los Cabos, Mexico
Friday, July 31: Quarterfinals
Saturday, Aug. 1: Semifinals
Sunday, Aug. 2: Finals
Memphis Classic
WTA 250, hard court
Memphis, Tennessee
Friday, July 31: Quarterfinals
Saturday, Aug. 1: Semifinals
Sunday, Aug. 2: Finals
Q&Andy Recap
Leylah Fernandez joined Andy to answer questions about her magical US Open run five years ago, going to the ESPYs and where to find the most extravagant lasagna in Toronto.
📮Submit a question by emailing askandy@servedmediagroup.com or send it through our website or social media.
Love All Recap
Kim and Blair discuss Jannik Sinner’s decision to skip Montreal, the pressure of playing at home and Kim’s memories of winning the US Open Series (complete with a tear-jerking letter from her dad).
Tiebreak Trivia
In Set 5, Techy Sean shared Carlos Alcaraz’s Knicks-inspired Nike outfit for the US Open. Speaking of tennis and the Knicks, one former world No. 1 WTA player married a man who was drafted by the Knicks in 2005. Who is this crossover couple?
💡Answer: Caroline Wozniacki and David Lee.
📝 We’ll be back Tuesday with a new episode. In the meantime, join us on Substack during the weekend’s matches.
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So great to hear “techie” Sean on 5 setter today!
I agree with Alex. He’s allowed to say something back, to have the last word.