Williams, Alcaraz sent packing at USO mixed

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz came and went on Tuesday at the hybrid US Open mixed doubles as the all-star pair were schooled 5-4, 4-1 by the Swiss-Italian side of Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli.

The defeat in the two-day abbreviated mixed which mimics an exhibition event, came after the Williams pair had advanced in their opening match of the day over Brit Lloyd Glasspool and Erin Routliffe, 5-3, 4-1, in the first round.

Alcaraz, now ranked third in the world after a wrist injury absence lasting nealry five months, looked tentative on serve, presumably not willing to risk his new fitness on the team game but was affected by the occasion of the moment.

“I think everybody could see, I double-faulted on the first point!” the Spaniard said. “I was really, really nervous playing alongside Serena.”

But he said his comeback effort was inspiring: “It’s still competition, full crowd.

“I almost forgot how I felt stepping on the court once again. But it was just a couple of games; 

“(Serena) made it really easy for me to try and enjoy it and go for it every time.”

Williams was playing on the Ashe showcourt for the first time since she ended her WTA career at the venue in 2022.

“I mean, it’s always such an amazing place to be here. I never expected to be back on this court, so it was just a really cool moment. I never thought this would happen,” she said.

“This is such a bonus for us to be out here. To play with Carlos is honestly so cool; we’re just out here having fun.”

But the joy was ended by the experienced Bencic and Roland Garros finalist Cobolli who next face the husband-and-wife act of Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina on Wednesday.

Even Italy’s Cobollie felt the heat in sharing a court with Williams.

“When play with Serena, you cannot (not) be focussed. I have to be. So I feel the pressure. I feel the court, then I have to stay on it. If I don’t stay (on it), I play shit.” 

Main photo:-Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams losing in the US Open “novelty mixed doubles” by ATPTour.com