Was the new mixed doubles format a success? Many players think so

NEW YORK (AP) — Even as the time crept toward midnight in the mixed doubles title match, the crowds and energy in Arthur Ashe Stadium didn’t budge.

The U.S. Open’s largest court was packed for the final three matches of the reimagined mixed doubles tournament Wednesday night, which was made up of mainly top singles players for the first time. The only doubles specialists in the draw, Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavasorri, were the eventual champions.

Ashe was sold out for both days of the tournament, and there were 78,000 fans on the grounds over two days.

“We've always believed that mixed doubles was undervalued in our sport and has the potential to engage and captivate many more fans,” US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said in a release. “The energy, excitement and engagement we witnessed are exactly what this dynamic and important Grand Slam championship deserves.”

There’s been lots of conversation and controversy about the format change. But when all was said and done, most of the players were also big fans.

The environment inside the sold-out Ashe was “arguably more crazy” than during a singles match, according to Jessica Pegula, who played in the women’s final there last year and lost in the mixed doubles semifinals Wednesday night.

“I loved it,” said Jack Draper, Pegula’s partner. “I wasn’t expecting to have as good of a time as I did.”

“I really wanted to play another match,” agreed Pegula. “I had so much fun….I loved it.”

Errani and Vavasorri, who have been critics of the format, were still impressed by the night.

“Playing in front of all these people is something special for us,” Errani said after their title victory. “Thanks for coming and for staying.”

The Italian duo beat Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the final match. It was a new adventure for both of the singles stars.

“I would like to thank ... the tournament for going a little bold,” Ruud said. “It's been really cool for us players to try (doubles).”

The question of whether the format will spread to the other Slams remains unanswered. But following the success of its inaugural run in New York, some players have their hopes.

“Anytime you get a full crowd like this, (you think) how can we keep this going? I mean, unreal night. I won’t forget this night,” said Christian Harrison, who partnered with Danielle Collins and is ranked 17th in doubles.

We’ll remember this stuff forever. I think this is a positive step for doubles.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Sara Errani, right, of Italy, and Andrea Vavassori, of Italy, embrace after winning the mixed doubles semifinal at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Andrea Vavassori, left, of Italy, and Sara Errani, of Italy, hold up the championship trophy after defeating Iga Swiatek, of Poland, and Casper Ruud, of Norway, in the mixed doubles final at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Andrea Vavassori, right, of Italy, and Sara Errani, left, of Italy, hold up the championship trophy after defeating Iga Swiatek, of Poland, and Casper Ruud, of Norway, in the mixed doubles final at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Casper Ruud, right, of Norway, plays with Iga Swiatek, left, of Poland, during the mixed doubles final at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on Houston's first two drives of the game, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday and clinch a third consecutive playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak since winning nine straight in 2018.

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped and handed the AFC West title to idle Denver. They beat the first-place Broncos in Week 3, but blew a chance to set up a winner-take-all showdown in Denver in Week 18.

The Chargers got knocked out of the playoffs in a wild-card loss to Houston last season.

Stroud's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit Jayden Higgins for a 75-yard score against busted coverage. Stroud wasn't pressured when he threw a 43-yard TD to Jaylin Noel, who wasn't covered.

The Chargers had allowed just one TD pass of 40 or more yards in their last 15 games.

Stroud completed his first six throws of the game. He finished 16 of 28 for 244 yards and two interceptions.

Houston's defense forced third-down sacks of Justin Herbert on the Chargers' first two possessions. They were three-and-out on three of their first four possessions, quieting the SoFi Stadium crowd.

Playing his third game with a broken left (non-throwing) hand, Herbert was 21 for 32 for 236 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked five times.

Derwin James Jr. intercepted Stroud in the second quarter, but the Chargers only managed a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker on the turnover to trail 14-3. Another interception of Stroud failed to produce any points despite both miscues coming in Houston territory.

Herbert was intercepted by Azeez Al-Shaair at the Houston 1-yard line. The ball, intended for Oronde Gadsden, popped off his hands and Al-Shaair came down with it for his second interception of the season. Gadsden held his face in his hands on the bench.

Dicker missed a field goal from under 40 yards for the first time in his career just before halftime, leaving the Chargers trailing 14-3. He later was wide left to miss his first point after attempt of the season on the Chargers' final drive after Omarion Hamption's 5-yard TD run made it 20-16.

Ka'imi Fairbairn had field goals of 41 and 44 yards for Houston.

The Chargers closed to 17-10 after a wild drive in which Herbert was sacked twice and threw two incompletions before finding Gadsden in the back of the end zone for a 1-yard TD in the third.

Texans: CB Kamari Lassiter (knee) left in the second quarter and later returned.

Chargers: RB Hassan Haskins was evaluated for a head injury in the fourth.

Texans: Play Indianapolis to end the regular season.

Chargers: Visit Denver to end the regular season.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Nico Collins during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)