Emma Raducanu will team up with French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles at the US Open, with a prize of $1 million (£741,000) on offer for the winners. The new doubles team – who can expect to be given a portmanteau nickname of either “Alcaranu” or “Raducaraz” – are one of several eye-catching partnerships set to make their debuts in New York in August.

Imagine Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu competing together for a Grand Slam trophy. How about Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe as a duo? Iga Swiatek alongside Casper Ruud? Or Naomi Osaka with Nick

On the sidelines of HSBC Championships, an interesting development took place as Alcaraz approached Raducanu with a special request.