Williams Alcaraz Exit US Open Mixed Doubles Quarterfinals

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz were eliminated from the US Open mixed doubles quarterfinals on Tuesday after falling 5-4, 4-1 to Switzerland's Belinda Bencic and Italy's Flavio Cobolli in Flushing Meadows, Queens. The defeat concluded a brief marquee partnership between Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, and Alcaraz, the world No. 2. The pairing drew crowd support at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the Fan Week tournament. Swiss star Bencic commented on the atmosphere after facing the high-profile pair during the unorthodox exhibition-style event.

"We felt their aura for sure," said Bencic.

"It was an honor to play," said Bencic. Cobolli expressed his excitement following the victory against the pair.

"Playing Serena and Carlos on Arthur Ashe is not easy," said Cobolli. "So now maybe we take a beer," said Cobolli.

Williams made her competitive return to the hardcourts in Queens after stepping away from professional tennis in 2022. She previously played a singles match at Wimbledon in June. Following her mixed doubles loss, event organizers announced that Williams and her sister Venus received a wild-card entry into the women's doubles draw starting next week.

Alcaraz entered the mixed doubles draw following a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury. The tandem opened the day with a straight-sets win over Lloyd Glasspool and Emma Routliffe before dropping their second-round match to Bencic and Cobolli. Defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani were also eliminated earlier in the day, losing to Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev 1-4, 4-1, 11-9.

Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka fell in three sets to Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten.

Siniakova and Patten later dropped their quarterfinal match to husband-and-wife pair Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina, who won 5-4, 4-5, 10-8 in a decisive tiebreak.

Svitolina noted their unexpected run after gaining a late entry into the draw. "We had zero expectations," said Svitolina. Monfils reflected on the memory as he prepares for his final season on tour.

"we will have great images for our memory," said Monfils.

Czech duo Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik advanced to the semifinals after defeating Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arevalo. Muchova shared her perspective on facing experienced doubles specialists.

"They keep us more on our toes," said Muchova. "They see the court I would say a little bit different," said Muchova.

Bencic and Cobolli move on to Wednesday's final rounds, where the mixed doubles semifinals and final will be played back-to-back.