In a stunning upset at the US Open, 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz was swiftly defeated by the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp.
The match, held on the sprawling Arthur Ashe Court, ended in a straight-sets victory (6-1, 7-5, 6-4) for the 74th-ranked player, sending shockwaves through the New York crowd.
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Unexpected dominance
Alcaraz, known for his dynamism and powerful gameplay, appeared uncharacteristically subdued and struggled to find his rhythm against van de Zandschulp. The young Spaniard, who had not faced such an early exit in a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2021, was visibly overwhelmed by van de Zandschulp’s relentless precision and adaptability.
A match of few highlights for Alcaraz
From the onset, it was clear that Alcaraz was not in his usual form. The match statistics painted a grim picture: zero aces and a stark absence of the explosive winners typically seen from the Spaniard. Van de Zandschulp, on the other hand, played a near-flawless game, giving Alcaraz no quarter.
Botic van de Zandschulp just knocked Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open! pic.twitter.com/QK3ZrkoPgx
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2024
Coach’s concern
Juan-Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s coach, watched with concern as his protégé struggled to counter van de Zandschulp’s tactics. Alcaraz’s inability to shift gears and elevate his play as the match progressed was a rare sight for fans used to his come-from-behind victories.
Alcaraz reflects on the loss
Post-match, Alcaraz was reflective and candid about his performance. “He played really well. I expected more unforced errors from him which usually gives me some points to work with,” Alcaraz noted. “I couldn’t raise my level throughout the match, which was necessary to either win or even push for a comeback.”
The bigger picture
This loss not only marks a significant moment of vulnerability for Alcaraz but also significantly shakes up the tournament’s draw. With Alcaraz out, players like Britain’s Jack Draper and Italy’s Jannik Sinner see a clearer path ahead in the competition. Draper, now the highest-ranked player in his section, will face van de Zandschulp in the upcoming rounds.
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This article explores the unexpected early exit of Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, focusing on his match against Botic van de Zandschulp. The analysis covers Alcaraz’s performance issues, the impact on the tournament draw, and reflections from Alcaraz and his coach on the surprising defeat.