Alcaraz And Williams Lose US Open Mixed Doubles Quarter-final

‎Williams and Alcaraz

Serena Williams returns to Arthur ashe but loses with Carlos Alcaraz in US Open mixed doubles QF.

Serena Williams fires 120mph ace O

on US Open return with Alcaraz...

Serena Williams’ return to Arthur Ashe Stadium ended in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. She and Carlos Alcaraz lost 5-4(4), 4-1 to Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic in US Open mixed doubles.  

It was Williams’ first match at the US Open since her emotional farewell in 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam champion received huge cheers as she stepped back onto Arthur Ashe.

Williams and Alcaraz, 21 years her junior, looked in sync earlier Tuesday. The pair beat Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1 in round one with plenty of smiles. 

Their run ended against the composed Cobolli and Bencic, who will face married duo Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils in Wednesday’s semi-finals.

“Playing Serena and Carlos on Arthur Ashe is not easy. I was tired before the match, I'm tired now,” said the Italian Cobolli.

Williams is skipping singles but flashed her old form in round one vs Routliffe and Glasspool, firing a 120 mph (193.1 kph) ace that drew gasps from the full crowd just two months after announcing her comeback.

SERENA WILLIAMS AND CARLOS ALCARAZ WIN ON THEIR TEAM DEBUT! 💜 pic.twitter.com/SgNgh7xd2e

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2026

Alcaraz hadn’t played since April because of injury, but he shook off the rust quickly. He finished the first set with a forehand winner, then they ran away with the second set. The pair hugged after the win wearing matching royal purple kits.

“It's always such an amazing place to be here,” said Williams. “I never expected to be back on this court.”

Perfect day at the office 🫡

Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli end the run of Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz 5-4, 4-1 to reach the semifinals! pic.twitter.com/S9ymVwYOoz

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 25, 2026

Roland Garros runner-up Cobolli and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Bencic proved too strong. Both Williams and Alcaraz made early errors, and Cobolli finished the tiebreak with an ace. 

The Swiss-Italian duo only got better from there, playing a clean second set with zero unforced errors. They were also full of praise for their opponents after the match.

“I don't know how I landed on this court - to play Carlos and Serena is a great honour,” said Bencic.