Carlos Alcaraz & Serena Williams defeated in US Open mixed doubles quarter-finals

The 23-times major winner had not competed at ‌the crown jewel of American tennis since her tearful farewell from the sport in 2022, and fans erupted in deafening cheers ‌as their queen took the court again.

The 44-year-old Williams had an easy rapport with Alcaraz, who ‌is 21 years her junior, as the partners grinned and giggled their way past Erin Routliffe and Lloyd ‌Glasspool 5-3 4-1 in the opening round earlier on Tuesday.

But their firepower was extinguished by ‌the ice-cold Cobolli and Bencic, who will play married partners Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

"Playing Serena and Carlos on Arthur Ashe is not easy. I was tired before the match, I'm tired now," said the ‌Italian Cobolli.

Williams, who is not competing in the singles, showed glimpses ⁠of her old brilliance in their opening match ‌against Routliffe and Glasspool, blasting a 120 mph (193.1 kph) ace to audible gasps from the packed house a little ​more than two months after she announced her stunning comeback.

Alcaraz, who has not played since April due to injury, shook off the early rust to close out the set ​with a forehand winner before they sprinted through the second set, embracing after the win in their matching royal purple outfits.

"It's always such an amazing place to be here," said Williams. "I never expected to ⁠be back on this court."

The Roland Garros ​runner-up Cobolli and Tokyo Olympic champion Bencic were too tough a task, however, as both Williams and Alcaraz made early mistakes and Cobolli sealed the tiebreak with an ace.

The Swiss-Italian pair only upped their level from there, with no unforced errors in the second set, and gave credit to their opponents after ‌the match.

"I don't know how I landed on this court - to play Carlos and Serena is a great honour," said Bencic.