In a surprising turn of events, Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz, who won the US Open in 2022, has been knocked out of the 2024 tournament in the second round. The defeat came at the hands of Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th in the world, in a match that left fans and analysts alike stunned.
A Crushing Defeat
Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked third in the world, was defeated in straight sets by van de Zandschulp, with a final score of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. This early exit is Alcaraz’s earliest from a Grand Slam tournament since his second-round departure at Wimbledon in 2021. The loss dashed his hopes of joining the elite group of players who have won the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open in the same year.
Struggles on the Court
From the very beginning of the match, it was clear that Alcaraz was not at his best. He appeared on the court with his left thigh heavily strapped, raising concerns about his fitness. These concerns quickly became secondary, however, as the 21-year-old struggled to find his rhythm. In the first set, Alcaraz failed to hit a single winner and dropped serve twice, giving van de Zandschulp an early advantage.
A Hard-Fought Second Set
The second set saw Alcaraz attempting to mount a comeback. After squandering break points early on, he managed to break van de Zandschulp’s serve to level the score at 2-2. However, the Dutch player quickly regained control, breaking Alcaraz again to take the set 7-5. This was a critical blow to Alcaraz’s confidence, and he entered the third set knowing he had never come back from a two-set deficit in his young career.
Van de Zandschulp’s Moment of Glory
Botic van de Zandschulp, playing in his first night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium, delivered one of the best performances of his career. Despite his underdog status, the 28-year-old Dutchman played with composure and skill, taking advantage of Alcaraz’s errors and maintaining his lead throughout the match. Van de Zandschulp’s victory was sealed when Alcaraz committed his 27th unforced error, ending the match and the Spaniard’s campaign in New York.
A Historic Victory
This win is not only significant for van de Zandschulp but also for Dutch tennis. He becomes the first Dutchman to defeat a top-three player at a Grand Slam since Richard Krajicek’s victory over Pete Sampras in the 1996 Wimbledon quarter-finals. Moreover, he is the first from his country to achieve such a feat at the US Open since his coach, Paul Haarhuis, defeated Boris Becker in 1991.
Looking Ahead
For Carlos Alcaraz, this defeat will undoubtedly be a tough pill to swallow. As one of the rising stars in tennis, much was expected from him in the 2024 season. However, this loss serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport. As Alcaraz regroups and prepares for future tournaments, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how he responds to this setback.
For van de Zandschulp, this victory could be a turning point in his career. Defeating a player of Alcaraz’s caliber on such a grand stage will undoubtedly boost his confidence as he advances further in the tournament.
In the world of tennis, upsets like these keep the sport thrilling and remind us that on any given day, anything can happen.
