US Open: Alcaraz and Serena Williams advance to Mixed Doubles QFs
The unlikely partnership of Alcaraz and Williams continued its dream run at the 2026 US Open on Tuesday, with the duo securing a 5-3, 4-1 victory over doubles specialists Routliffe and Glasspool in just 58 minutes.
The result sends the Spanish Grand Slam contender and 23-time major singles champion into the last eight, where they will face Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli.
Alcaraz and Williams overcome slow start
The match did not begin according to plan for the wildcard pairing. Carlos Alcaraz dropped his opening service game and the duo found themselves 1-3 down, but they quickly settled into the contest.
Williams began to make her presence felt with aggressive returns and confident shotmaking, while Alcaraz's movement and power added pressure from the opposite end of the court.
The momentum shifted rapidly. The pair won successive games to take control and ultimately closed out the abbreviated mixed doubles contest in under an hour. For Serena Williams, the occasion carried particular significance. Arthur Ashe Stadium was where she played the final match of her professional career before retiring, making her return to the court an unexpected chapter in her US Open story.
“I never expected to be back on this court,” Williams said. “I never thought this would happen.”
Alcaraz admits he was nervous on return
The match also marked Alcaraz's return to competitive tennis after an extended absence caused by a right wrist injury. The Spaniard admitted the occasion brought significant nerves, particularly given the packed stadium and the opportunity to share the court with Williams.
He double-faulted on the opening point and initially struggled to settle.
“I was really, really nervous,” Alcaraz said.
The 23-year-old, who had been sidelined for almost five months, said the nerves quickly disappeared once the match settled and credited Williams with helping him relax.
The victory therefore represented more than simply progress in the mixed doubles draw for Alcaraz: it provided his first taste of competitive action since his injury.
Bencic and Cobolli await in quarter-finals
Alcaraz and Williams will next face fourth seeds Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli for a place in the semi-finals. Bencic and Cobolli advanced earlier Tuesday after defeating Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev 4-2, 4-2.
The quarter-final therefore sets up another intriguing combination of established Grand Slam pedigree and contemporary singles talent. For Alcaraz and Williams, the challenge will be to maintain the chemistry that helped them recover from their slow start in the opening round.
With Williams bringing decades of experience and Alcaraz returning from injury, the pairing has quickly become one of the most talked-about stories of this year's US Open.
What comes next?
The quarter-final against Bencic and Cobolli will provide a significantly tougher test, particularly against a seeded partnership that has already shown its ability to handle the unique demands of mixed doubles.
For Alcaraz, however, the immediate priority is clear: build match fitness and confidence after his lengthy layoff. For Williams, every additional match offers another opportunity to enjoy a competition and venue that once appeared to be behind her.
Together, they now have a quarter-final to look forward to — and the possibility of extending one of the most unexpected partnerships of the tournament.
SportsLigue
