In a major upset at the US Open 2024, Olympic silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz was defeated by Dutch world number 74, Botic van de Zandschulp. The match ended in straight sets, with scores of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. This marks Alcaraz’s earliest exit from a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2021. The loss comes as a surprise, especially considering Alcaraz’s strong performance in recent tournaments.
Van de Zandschulp’s Unlikely Victory
Van de Zandschulp’s victory is one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. He secured the win in just over two hours on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. This victory marks only his second career win over a top-five player. After the match, van de Zandschulp expressed his disbelief. “I’m a little lost for words,” he said. “It was an incredible evening out here in my first time in the night session on Arthur Ashe. I tried to stay calm. You have to keep your head against these guys, otherwise, they will take advantage.”
Alcaraz Struggles Throughout the Match
Carlos Alcaraz, who entered the match with his left thigh heavily strapped, struggled from the start. He dropped serve twice in the first set and failed to hit a single winner. Alcaraz managed to level the score in the second set but was unable to maintain the momentum. His opponent broke him again, taking the second set 7-5. In the final set, Alcaraz fought hard but was broken in the ninth game. He ended the match with 27 unforced errors.
Historic Win for Van de Zandschulp
This win makes van de Zandschulp the first Dutchman to defeat a top-three player at a Grand Slam since Richard Krajicek’s victory over Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 1996. He is also the first Dutchman to achieve this feat at the US Open since his coach, Paul Haarhuis, knocked out Boris Becker in 1991. Van de Zandschulp’s calm and focused play was key to his victory. “I had some unbelievable points at the net,” he said. “It was all about staying calm and taking advantage of the opportunities.”
Alcaraz’s Early Exit Surprises Fans
Alcaraz had been one of the favorites to win the US Open this year. He was aiming to become only the third man in the modern era to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same season. His early exit has shocked fans and analysts alike. Despite his defeat, Alcaraz remains one of the brightest young stars in tennis. At just 21 years old, he has already achieved significant success and is expected to bounce back from this setback.
Looking Ahead
Botic van de Zandschulp now advances to the third round, where he will face another tough opponent. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will need to regroup and focus on the rest of the season. His early exit from the US Open is a reminder that even the best players can have off days. As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on van de Zandschulp to see if he can continue his remarkable run.
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