Williams-Alcaraz fall in US Open mixed quarter-finals

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, the highly touted mixed doubles team, faltered in their US Open debut. The former world No. 1, returning from retirement, and Spanish Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, making a comeback after injury, succumbed to Swiss-British duo Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli. Bencic, an Olympic gold medalist, and Cobolli, having a stellar season, defeated the powerhouse duo 5-4, 4-1.

Cobolli acknowledged the challenge, stating that playing legendary Serena and Carlos on Arthur Ashe was not easy. Bencic expressed it as an honor to face such a formidable pairing. Earlier, Williams and Alcaraz had demonstrated strong form, defeating British-New Zealand pairing Lloyd Glasspool and Emma Routliffe. The US Open mixed doubles format combines doubles specialists with star singles players, creating a unique and experimental atmosphere.

The event, now in its second year, saw defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani, along with Russian pair Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, eliminated in the quarterfinals. A notable surprise was the husband-and-wife team of Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina, who secured two quarterfinal wins, including a close match against Siniakova and Patten, before advancing to the semifinals.