Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz Exit US Open Mixed Doubles in First Round
In a surprising turn of events at the US Open, tennis sensations Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz faced an early exit from the mixed doubles tournament. The duo was defeated 4-2, 4-2 by top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in a first-round showdown that had fans buzzing with anticipation, especially amidst dating rumors surrounding Raducanu and Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, fresh off a victory in Cincinnati where he claimed his sixth title of the year after Jannik Sinner had to retire due to illness, arrived at the match with little rest. The pair struggled from the outset, losing the first set after being broken in the very first game. Draper and Pegula’s momentum continued, with the second set following a similar pattern. Although Alcaraz showcased some impressive plays to level the score, it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Following the match, an elated Draper shared his thoughts: "I’ve got a pretty good partner! What an experience playing with Jessica against Emma and Carlos. It doesn’t get any better than this, so it’s just a pleasure to be out here with such a great player."
The new mixed doubles format introduced significant changes, shortening the sets to four games for a win and eliminating break points within games, with a tie-break determining the final set if teams split sets. Despite their loss, Raducanu and Alcaraz appeared to enjoy their time on the court, bringing an entertaining spirit to the match.
The tournament has faced challenges, including the withdrawal of high-profile players, with Sinner being a notable absence just hours before the event. While the winners stand to earn £1 million—an increase from £500,000 last season—the attendance at the matches has been lukewarm, with many seats left empty.
Draper and Pegula are set to advance, facing either Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic or Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva for a spot in the next round. Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Wimbledon champions Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud successfully moved past Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti, securing their place in the semi-finals.
As Raducanu and Alcaraz shift their focus to the singles competition kicking off next week, fans eagerly await their next moves in this thrilling tournament.
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