Keystone-SDA | Friday, August 30, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz is unexpectedly eliminated in the second round of the US Open. The world number 3 from Spain loses to unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP 74) 1:6, 5:7, 4:6.
With this loss, Alcaraz had to bury his dream of a third consecutive Major title early. The 21-year-old had triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon recently. Now, his 15-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments comes to an abrupt end.
Against the fiercely playing Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, Alcaraz must cope with one of the biggest disappointments of his young and successful career. Since 2021, his first season on the ATP Tour, the Spaniard has never lost so early in a Grand Slam tournament. Two years ago, he won his first Major title in New York.
For Van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th, this is the most significant victory of his career. “I am a bit at a loss for words. This is an incredible evening, my first time in Arthur Ashe,” the Dutchman was overwhelmed in the post-match interview. “I believed from the first point that I had a chance. If you want to beat a player like that, you have to stay calm.”
In 2021, Van de Zandschulp reached the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows, but since then he has not played at this level in a Grand Slam tournament. In the third round, he will face Brit Jack Draper (ATP 25).