Alcaraz and Sabalenka reach US Open last 16 as Williams sisters lose on return

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka moved into the last 16 at the US Open, but the evening belonged to a heartbreaking defeat for Serena and Venus Williams on their long-awaited return to Grand Slam doubles.

Alcaraz, returning after a four-month injury absence, defeated China’s Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday. He will face 20th-seeded American Tommy Paul for a place in the quarterfinals after Paul overcame Alexander Bublik in five sets.

Wu recovered an early break in each of the first two sets, but Alcaraz broke back in the final games. After saving two break points in the opening game of the third set, the Spaniard pulled away. “I think my level is really good,” Alcaraz said. “I’ve got into the rhythm of the competition. I’m getting there.”

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I think my level is really good. I’ve got into the rhythm of the competition. I’m getting there.

World number one Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 without facing a break point. She hit 29 winners and 10 aces, although the second set became a close battle. Sabalenka also complained to the umpire about the smell of marijuana drifting from the stands. “It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best,” she said.

Sabalenka next meets 96th-ranked American Taylor Townsend. She needs to defend her title to have a chance of staying number one. Serena and Venus Williams, playing together in a Grand Slam doubles event for the first time since 2022, lost 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/7) to Taiwan’s Chan Hao-ching and Australia’s Maya Joint after surrendering a 5-0 lead in the deciding tiebreak.

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It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best.