Serena Williams, Carlos Alcaraz fall in US Open mixed doubles quarterfinal

The return of Serena Williams to Arthur Ashe Stadium came to an abrupt end as she and Carlos Alcaraz fell 5-4(4), 4-1 to Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic in the US Open mixed doubles quarterfinal, their magic fading after an inspired early performance.The 23-time major winner had not competed at the crown jewel of US tennis since her tearful farewell from the sport in 2022, and fans erupted in deafening cheers as their queen took the court again on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Federer to play tennis at US Open but rules out Williams-like returnlist 2 of 4Gauff, Fils win Cincinnati tennis titles in run-up to US Openlist 3 of 4Jannik Sinner to miss US Open tennis major due to knee injurylist 4 of 4Carlos Alcaraz confirms US Open return after four-month injury layoffend of listThe 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 a semifinal on Wednesday.“P...