Serena Williams made a return to the US Open on Tuesday, teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz for a mixed doubles victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The pairing delivered a mix of early struggles and brilliance, ultimately defeating Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1 in front of a packed New York crowd.
A Shaky Start and a Return in Flushing Meadows
Tuesday marked Williams’s first appearance at Flushing Meadows since 2022, while also serving as Alcaraz’s return to the court following an absence since April 14. Wearing a protective white sleeve over a right arm injury, Alcaraz looked visibly out of rhythm during the opening exchanges, dropping the first two games while struggling with his serve and movement.
Williams stepped up to steady the partnership, carrying the duo through the opening set by winning 15 points to Alcaraz’s nine. “I am playing with the one and only Serena Williams,” Alcaraz said during a mid-match interview. “I am having fun. I am trying to apply what she taught me.” Alcaraz eventually found his footing, sealing the first set with a sharp winner before he and Williams comfortably claimed the second set to advance.
Mixed Doubles Shake-ups and Star Departures
The revamped mixed doubles format at the US Open—redesigned to attract top singles players—delivered several dramatic twists on Tuesday. While Williams and Alcaraz moved forward, defending champions Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev survived a match point to eliminate Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori 1-4, 4-1, 11-9.
In another marquee clash of the day, Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten ousted Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic 1-4, 4-2 (10-2) in the first round, with Siniakova closing out the match with an ace against Djokovic. Patten noted to reporters that it was particularly special to see his partner seal the victory with an unreturned serve past Djokovic.
Svitolina and Monfils Surge Into the Semifinals
Married couple Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils provided one of the day’s biggest storylines by advancing to the mixed doubles semifinals. The duo edged Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten 5-4 (6), 4-5 (3) (10-8) in their quarterfinal encounter at Flushing Meadows.
Monfils, who is competing in a final Grand Slam tournament in his career, is closing in on his 40th birthday on September 1. Svitolina and Monfils admitted they had modest expectations after only practicing their doubles pairing for the first time on Monday.
“Happy wife, happy life,” Monfils told the crowd on-court after embracing Svitolina. Svitolina added that they simply wanted to win a few games when they first stepped onto the practice courts.
Next Steps at the US Open
Following their opening victory, Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz advanced to face the team of Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils continue their quest for the prize of one million US dollars in Wednesday’s semifinal matches.
Worth a look
