Alcaraz suffers shock second-round defeat at US Open 2024
30th August 2024
The world number three and 2022 US Open champion was beaten by Dutch world number 74 Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round.
- Alcaraz had made at least the quarter-finals in his three previous appearances in New York.
- Thursday's defeat was his earliest at a Grand Slam since a second-round exit at Wimbledon in 2021.
- The loss also ended Alcaraz' dream of becoming only the third man in the modern era to win the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in the same season.
Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the 2024 US
Open by Dutch world number 74 Botic van de Zandschulp in a seismic second round
upset on Thursday.
World number three and 2022 champion Alcaraz lost 6-1, 7-5,
6-4, ending his bid to become only the third man in the modern era to win the
French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in the same season.
Alcaraz had made at least the quarter-finals in his three
previous appearances in New York and Thursday's defeat was his earliest at a
Grand Slam since a second round exit at Wimbledon in 2021.
"I'm a little lost for words," said van de
Zandschulp after only his second career win over a top five player.
Play here
and stand a chance of winning the over 379 Million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
"It was an incredible evening out here in my first time
in the night session on Arthur Ashe. I had some unbelievable points at the net.
"I tried to stay calm. You have to keep your head
against these guys otherwise they will take advantage."
Alcaraz, who had needed four sets to see off Australian
qualifier Li Tu in the first round, appeared on court with his left thigh
heavily strapped.
That proved the least of his problems as he dropped serve
twice in the opening set, failing to hit a single winner against his
28-year-old opponent, who made the quarter-finals on his debut in 2021.
ALSO READ: Defending champions Djokovic, Gauff advance at steamy US Open
Alcaraz squandered break points in the second game of the
second set and the Dutchman made him pay with a break of his own for a 2-1 lead
in front of a stunned crowd.
The 2022 champion hit back immediately to level at 2-2 but
it was a brief respite from his troubles as his inspired opponent broke again
for 6-5 and took the set when Alcaraz fired a service return wide.
The 21-year-old had never had to come back from a two sets
deficit in his young career and went into Thursday's match with a 2-0
head-to-head edge over the Dutchman.
However, he slipped 2-3 down, recovered to 3-3, greeting the
rare chink of light with a wide grin, but was then broken again in the ninth
game.
Van de Zandschulp was not to be denied and claimed victory
when Alcaraz fired his 27th and final unforced error of the contest.
He becomes the first Dutchman to defeat a top three player
at a Grand Slam since Richard Krajicek beat number one Pete Sampras in the
quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 1996.
He is the first from his country to achieve it at the US Open since his coach Paul Haarhuis knocked out Boris Becker in the third round in 1991.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture
talent