Carlos Alcaraz’s remarkable run of grand slam success has come to an end in New York after Botic van de Zandschulp stunned the Spaniard in straight ends in one of the biggest upsets in years.
The youngest man to win grand slams on all three surfaces, Alcaraz arrived at the US Open having claimed the ‘Channel Slam’ at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old, who dazzled New York with a string of late night successes on route to claiming his first grand slam title two years ago, was below-par in almost every facet when beaten 6-1 7-5 6-4.
The Dutchman, 28, has enjoyed a good career and was ranked as high as 22 two years ago.
But this, his seventh win over a top 10 ranked rival, is the biggest triumph in his career given the resume of Alcaraz and the immense stage it occurred on.
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He did it style as well on Arthur Ashe Stadium, withstanding rallies from the four-time major winner in the second and third sets to pull off the most surprising upset for the year in a major.
Alcaraz was devastated to lose the Olympic gold medal match to Novak Djokovic 7-6 7-6 in Paris earlier this month. And he has presented at odds with the all-smiling conqueror he has been for much of his career since then.
In a rare display of anger, he thumped his racquet into the ground when beaten by French veteran Gael Monfils in Cincinnati a fortnight ago.
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He was then tested for a period by Aussie bolter Li Tu on Tuesday night when beaten in four sets.
On Thursday against van de Zandschulp, he scarcely got warm when falling in 2hr 19min, playing in a subdued fashion.
Alcaraz made a shaky start to Friday’s match, with van de Zandschulp breaking the Spaniard early on his way to a 3-0 advantage that eventually saw him take the opening set 6-1.
While Alcaraz’s first serve was still strong in the opening set, his second serve was a clear weakness and differentiating factor between the two, winning just 29 per cent behind his compared to 70 per cent for van de Zandschulp.
Moving onto the second set, a stunned Alcaraz was swiftly broken again on his way to dropping it 7-5 before van de Zandschulp gained the advantage once more in the third to take a 3-2 lead.
There was a slight opening for Alcaraz as van de Zandschulp double faulted to lose his service game but the Dutchman recovered to break his highly-fancied rival once more and served out the match.
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The second-round exit marked Alcaraz’s earliest elimination in a Grand Slam in his career and opens up the draw for Australians Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson, with the pair now having a clearer path to a potential semi-final berth.
As it stands, one of de Minaur, Thompson, van de Zandschulp, Jack Draper, Tomas Machac, David Goffin, Daniel Evans and Matteo Arnaldi will book their spot in the semis.
While obviously a surprise to see Alcaraz fall apart in such dramatic fashion, John McEnroe had warned earlier in the week that the door was “open” for a “surprise” winner at this year’s US Open in the men’s singles.
McEnroe suggested Alcaraz, having won at Roland Garros and Wimbledon before playing in the gold medal match in Paris, could have done with an extended break.
“In hindsight, he probably would have been better off not playing at all,” he told Eurosport.
“Given everything that’s happened, emotionally, it’s going to be a big ask for him to win this tournament.”
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