Serena Williams And Alcaraz Exit US Open Mixed Doubles in Quarterfinals

Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz joined forces in the mixed doubles event on Tuesday as both made their return to the US Open 2026.

The pair started their campaign with a comeback win over mixed doubles specialists Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool. They won 5-3, 4-1 in the first round, sending the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd into celebration as fans came out to watch the two tennis stars.

However, their run came to an end in the quarterfinals. The fourth-seeded pair of Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli beat Williams and Alcaraz 5-4 (7-4), 4-1.

Routliffe and Glasspool made a quick start in the first round, breaking Alcaraz’s opening serve to take 2-0 and 3-1 leads in the first set.

With the set slipping away at 3-2, Williams and Alcaraz fought back and got their first break of the match to level the score at 3-3. They then saved two set points to stay in the contest. Williams followed that up with two aces on her serve, helping the pair move ahead 4-3.

Williams then hit a powerful forehand winner off Routliffe’s serve to give the pair a chance to take control of the game. They soon got another break and closed out the set 5-3.

From that point, Williams and Alcaraz stayed on top of the match. Routliffe and Glasspool managed to win only one of the next eight games, as Williams and Alcaraz continued to impress the crowd in New York.

Bencic, Cobolli Too Good for Williams and Alcaraz

Williams and Alcaraz returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium just minutes after their first-round victory to play their quarterfinal match. However, Bencic and Cobolli gave them a much tougher challenge.

The first set went to a tie-break, where Bencic and Cobolli came out on top 7-4. Williams sent a potential winner long, allowing their opponents to move 6-4 ahead in the tie-break. Cobolli then finished the set with an ace.

Bencic and Cobolli continued to control the second set, much like Williams and Alcaraz had done in their opening match.

In the fourth game, Cobolli’s return forced Alcaraz into a poor shot on game point. That gave Bencic and Cobolli the break and put them 3-1 ahead, leaving them one game away from victory. Cobolli then held his serve to complete the win and book their place in the semifinals.

The win gave Bencic and Cobolli their fourth straight set victory at the tournament. Earlier on Tuesday, they also beat Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev in straight sets. They will now face Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils in the semifinals on Wednesday.