Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams handed tough opening-round draw featuring former US Open champion

Tennis fans will be witnessing one of the greatest pairings soon at the last Grand Slam of the year in New York: Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams. However, the two have been drawn against a strong pairing in the opening round of the US Open mixed doubles. 

Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams handed tough opening-round draw featuring former US Open champion

The Spaniard and the American legend will take on Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool. Routliffe is the reigning US Open women’s doubles champion, making the first-round encounter a stern test for the high-profile wildcard team. 

This match marks Williams’ return to Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has staged a limited comeback to the sport this summer after stepping away four years earlier. Alcaraz, meanwhile, is returning to competitive action after a wrist injury that sidelined him for several months.

The mixed doubles event, which has been reshaped in recent years to attract bigger names, begins main-draw play this week. Williams and Alcaraz form one of the most eye-catching partnerships in the 16-team field. Their opening match is scheduled for Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium at 11:30 PM IST. 

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