Alcaraz and Raducanu bulldozed by Draper and Pegula in revamped US Open mixed doubles

Starry pairings enjoy magic moments but mixed fortunes while specialists retain pride in ‘reimagined’ doubles.

Carlos Alcaraz, right, of Spain, and Emma Raducanu, left, of Great Britain, celebrate. Pic: AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

After many long months of discussion and anticipation, the doubles partnership between Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz came and went in the blink of an eye in a well‑populated Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

Despite ample smiles and enjoyment on the court, they were outclassed in a battle of British No 1s by a sharp Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, the top seeds, who reached the quarter-finals of the revamped mixed‑doubles competition with a 4-2, 4-2 win.