Williams, Alcaraz win US Open mixed doubles debut

NEW YORK (AP):

Serena Williams made a triumphant return to the US Open yesterday, winning in mixed doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz, who shook off the rust from a four-month absence due to a wrist injury to keep pace with his playing partner.

Williams and Alcaraz rebounded from a slow start to defeat Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool 5-3, 4-1 in the first round, much to the delight of fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, who were firmly in their corner. It was Williams’ first US Open match since 2022 and Alcaraz’s first competitive outing since April 14.

“It’s always such an amazing place to be here,” Williams said after the 58-minute victory. “I never expected to be back on this court, so it was just a really cool moment. I never thought this would happen.”

The crowd roared as the pair were introduced and walked on court as “the queen of tennis and the king of now”, in the words of Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, who had scored a mixed doubles victory with Belinda Bencic minutes earlier. Public-address announcer Andy Taylor described Williams and Alcaraz as the tournament’s most anticipated pairing.

Early on, however, it appeared that their partnership might be short-lived as they dropped the first two games. Wearing a white sleeve on his injured right arm, Alcaraz looked rusty, with his timing, movement, and serve all below their usual standard.

“I think everybody could see: I double-faulted on the first point,” Alcaraz said. “I was really, really nervous. I was out for four months ... I almost forget how it feels.”

While the Spaniard settled into the contest, fans chanted, “Let’s go, Serena, let’s go!” The 44-year-old proved equal to the occasion.

Williams carried much of the load in the opening set, outscoring Alcaraz 15 points to nine as the pair rallied to take control. Alcaraz credited the turnaround to Williams’ calming influence and the enjoyable atmosphere.

“She made it really easy for me -- just to try to enjoy it, to go for it every time,” Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz eventually found his rhythm, producing the shot that sealed set point. He and Williams then cruised through the second set to book a quarterfinal clash with Bencic and Cobolli.

The winners will advance to Wednesday night’s semi-finals, with the champions set to earn US$1 million in the second year of the tournament’s revamped mixed doubles format, which was designed to attract more top-ranked players.