Williams-Alcaraz fall in US Open mixed quarter-finals

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, often seen as the top pair in women's tennis and men's singles, respectively, advanced to the US Open mixed doubles quarter-finals. However, their winning start in the tournament came to an end as they were defeated by Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli of Switzerland and Italy, respectively, in straight sets.

Bencic and Cobolli moved on to compete in the final match on Wednesday, which will be held back-to-back with the semi-finals. Bencic, who has won Olympic Gold medals in singles, acknowledged the challenge of facing such tennis legends on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Cobolli, having a breakout season in singles, expressed his relief at advancing.

Earlier in the tournament, Williams and Alcaraz had beaten the British-New Zealand duo, Lloyd Glasspool and Emma Routliffe. The mixed doubles competition, which is in its second year, features a mix of doubles specialists and star singles players, sometimes creating an experimental atmosphere. Other high-profile pairings, like Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, also fell in the quarter-finals, making way for the new champions of the event.