US Open mixed doubles: Serena-Alcaraz exit in quarters; Cobolli-Bencic advance
Synopsis
Serena Williams' long-awaited return to Arthur Ashe Stadium lasted just two matches. She and Carlos Alcaraz — one of tennis' most star-studded pairings in recent memory — were outplayed by a clinical Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic, who committed zero unforced errors in the second set. The exit raises fresh questions about the US Open's celebrity-driven mixed doubles experiment.
Key Takeaways
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz lost 5-4(4), 4-1 to Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic in the US Open mixed doubles quarterfinals on 26 August .
The pair had beaten Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1 in the opening round earlier the same day.
Williams, 44 , made her first appearance at the US Open in three years , returning to the venue of her 2022 farewell.
Alcaraz was playing his first competitive matches since an injury sidelined him in April .
Cobolli and Bencic advance to the semifinals to face married couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils .
The revamped mixed doubles format has drawn sellout crowds but faces criticism from established doubles specialists.
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz's much-hyped mixed doubles partnership at the US Open came to an abrupt end on Tuesday, 26 August, as the star pair fell to Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic 5-4(4), 4-1 in the quarterfinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York. The defeat ended what had been one of the most talked-about returns in recent tennis memory.
How the Match Unfolded
Williams and Alcaraz had arrived at the quarterfinal with momentum, having earlier in the day dispatched Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1 in the opening round. But the Swiss-Italian combination of Cobolli and Bencic proved a sterner test, raising their level at the critical moments when it mattered most.
The American-Spanish pairing made a series of early errors in the quarterfinal, handing Cobolli and Bencic the initiative. Cobolli held his nerve through the tie-break and sealed the opening set with an ace. The duo were even more commanding in the second set, reportedly committing zero unforced errors as they closed out the match and booked a semifinal berth against married couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils.
'I don't know how I landed on this court — to play Carlos and Serena is a great honour,' Bencic said after the victory.
Williams' Emotional Return to Ashe
For the 44-year-old Williams, the loss carried an emotional weight that went beyond the scoreline. Arthur Ashe Stadium was the venue where she had bid a tearful farewell to professional tennis in 2022, and Tuesday marked her first appearance at the tournament in three years. The crowd gave her a deafening reception as she walked out.
Earlier in the day, Williams had shown flashes of her trademark power, including a 120 mph (193.1 kph) ace that drew audible gasps from the stands. 'It's always such an amazing place to be here,' she said. 'I never expected to be back on this court.'
Alcaraz, returning from an injury layoff that had kept him off the tour since April, shook off early rust and sealed the opening-round win with a forehand winner. The pair, wearing matching royal purple outfits, embraced on court after that victory.
The Revamped Format and Its Critics
Williams' appearance was part of the second edition of the US Open's revamped mixed doubles format, which invites leading singles players into the draw to boost fan interest ahead of the singles main draw. The format drew sellout crowds and significant commercial interest in its debut year.
Notably, the format has not been without controversy. Established doubles specialists have argued that the inclusion of high-profile singles names marginalises traditional pairings who have built careers in the discipline. The debate is likely to intensify as the tournament evaluates whether to continue the experiment.
What's Next
Cobolli and Bencic will face Svitolina and Monfils in the semifinals, a match that brings its own compelling storylines given the couple's profile on tour. The revamped mixed doubles draw continues to deliver high-profile matchups, even as the singles main draw gets underway.
Point of View
And Cobolli and Bencic — a disciplined, experienced team — exposed exactly that in the second set. The US Open's revamped mixed doubles format is succeeding commercially, but it is doing so at a structural cost: seasoned doubles players are being squeezed out of the spotlight in their own discipline. If the format persists, the governing bodies will need to answer whether tennis is building a sustainable doubles culture or simply staging celebrity exhibitions dressed as competition.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz's US Open mixed doubles match?
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz were beaten 5-4(4), 4-1 by Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic in the US Open mixed doubles quarterfinals on 26 August in New York. The defeat ended their run at the tournament after just two matches.
How did Williams and Alcaraz perform in the opening round?
The pair won their opening-round match comfortably, defeating Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1 earlier on the same day as their quarterfinal exit.
Why is Serena Williams' US Open appearance significant?
It marked Williams' first appearance at the US Open in three years and her return to Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she made an emotional farewell to professional tennis in 2022. The 44-year-old received a standing ovation from a packed crowd.
What is the US Open's revamped mixed doubles format?
The format, now in its second year, invites top singles players to compete in the mixed doubles draw ahead of the singles main draw. It has drawn sellout crowds and commercial interest, but has been criticised by traditional doubles specialists who argue it sidelines established pairings.
Who do Cobolli and Bencic face in the semifinals?
Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic will face married couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils in the mixed doubles semifinals after their quarterfinal win over Williams and Alcaraz.
