In a stunning turn of events at the US Open, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz was ousted in the second round by Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp on Thursday. The 21-year-old Spaniard, who had recently triumphed at Wimbledon and won an Olympic silver medal, fell in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
Van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th globally, produced one of the biggest upsets in recent tennis history, overpowering Alcaraz in a shocking performance. Despite Alcaraz’s stature as a top contender, the Dutchman maintained his composure throughout the match and claimed his first career victory over a top-10 player at a Grand Slam event.
Alcaraz, known for his relentless energy and shot-making ability, struggled from the outset, finishing with 28 unforced errors. He was unable to gain control of the match, allowing van de Zandschulp to dictate play and close out with an ace. The defeat ended Alcaraz’s 15-match winning streak at the US Open, marking his earliest Grand Slam exit since Wimbledon 2021.
After the match, van de Zandschulp expressed his disbelief at the result, saying on the ESPN broadcast, “It’s been an incredible evening here. First time for me, night session at Arthur Ashe. The crowd was amazing.” Despite nerves during the closing stages, he managed to stay focused and executed his strategy with remarkable calm.
Alcaraz, gracious in defeat, congratulated van de Zandschulp before leaving the court. The loss is a significant blow for the Spaniard, who had entered the tournament as one of the favorites to contend for the title.
Van de Zandschulp will now face British 25th seed Jack Draper in the third round on Saturday, hoping to build on his extraordinary victory.