Taylor Townsend and Jack Withrow carry the American Dream as Indian Wells Open introduces first-ever mixed doubles event with prize pool of $150,000

The eight teams will compete over three days for a prize pool of $150,000.

Taylor Townsend and Jack Withrow carry the American Dream as Indian Wells Open introduces first-ever mixed doubles event with prize pool of $150,000

Taylor Townsend, Jackson Withrow (Images via Imago)

The Indian Wells Open has introduced a first-ever mixed doubles invitation event at the 47th edition of the tournament which is already underway. The tournament organizers announced on Wednesday that a mixed doubles invitational event will be held alongside the main draw and the participants will take away a massive total prize money of $150,000.

This lucrative prize money has resulted in a sudden signup from WTA and ATP stars. The first-ever mixed doubles event is going to be an eight-team event and will be played in the same format, i.e. knockout format. Notably, the matches will be played from 13 March to 15 March.

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The first-ever BNP Paribas Open Mixed Doubles Invitational will be held Wednesday, March 13 through Friday, March 15 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden alongside main draw play of the ATP and WTA 1000 tournament. The eight-team event will be a knockout format and offer $150,000 in total prize money.
Indian Wells Open announced on Wednseday.

Which are the eight teams participating in Indian Wells Open Mixed Doubles event?

Apart from the itinerary, the Indian Wells Open also revealed the eight teams that will be taking part in the first-ever mixed doubles event at the Masters tournament. While there were not any big names on the list, WTA stars like Taylor Townsend, Katerina Siniakova, and Caroline Garcia will be taking part in this event.

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Taylor-Townsend-Desirae-Krawczyk-Caroline-Garcia-Andrew-Harris
Taylor Townsend, Desirae Krawczyk, Caroline Garcia, Andrew Harris (Images via Imago_

Teams taking part in the Indian Wells mixed doubles event:

  • Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Mate Pavic
  • Daria Saville and John Peers
  • Taylor Townsend and Jackson Withrow
  • Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac
  • Storm Hunter and Matthew Ebden
  • Ena Shibahara and Joe Salisbury
  • Caroline Garcia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin
  • Desirae Krawczyk and Andrew Harris

Out of the eight pairs, three of them have American players. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Taylor Townsend, and Desirae Krawczyk are the three American WTA stars who will be taking part in the Indian Wells Open mixed doubles event. Let’s look at the chances for the three pairs.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Mate Pavic

38-year-old Bethanie Mattek-Sands has paired up with Croatian Mate Pavic. The pair will open its campaign against Daria Saville and John Peers. While Sands is out of the women’s doubles race, Pavic and his men’s doubles partner Marcelo Arevalo also bowed out of their event after a defeat in the second round. It is to be seen what they pull off at this new event.

Taylor Townsend and Jackson Withrow

Taylor Townsend will have the responsibility to carry the American dream through to the final. The 27-year-old has decided to pair up with Jackson Withrow to compete at this mixed doubles event. While Townsend and Withrow failed to impress in their usual categories, the all-American will be expected to reach the final. They open their campaign against Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac.

Desirae Krawczyk and Andrew Harris

Desirae Krawczyk and Andrew Harris will be another pair that will keep the Amercian dream alive. Although Harris is Australian, Krawczyk partnering with him pins the local hope on the pair. The pair will open its campaign against Caroline Garcia/Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

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