30 Aug, 2024 @ 10:37
1 min read

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz crashes out of US Open after shocking straight-sets defeat to unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp

August 29, 2024, Flushing Meadows, New York, USA: Carlos Alcaraz reacts returns to the base line on the final point of the match on Day 4 against Botic van de Zandschulp in the 2024 US Open held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Thursday August 29, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. JAVIER ROJAS/PI (Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire)

CARLOS Alcaraz has suffered the greatest upset of his career so far after the Spaniard crashed out of the US Open in the second round with a straight-sets defeat against the world No.74 Botic van de Zandschulp.

The 21-year-old had been widely tipped to compete for a third Grand Slam title in 2024, which would have made him just the third man in history after Rod Laver and compatriot Rafael Nadal to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in the same calendar year.

But those dreams were dashed in spectacular style after the unseeded Dutchman Van de Zandschulp comprehensively defeated Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 for the biggest win of his career.

Alcaraz appeared to struggle to adapt to the hard court surface, making 27 unforced errors during the match and never truly recovering from a below-par start.

The defeat spells an end to the Murcia-born star’s 15-match winning run in Grand Slams, which had included his victories at Roland Garros and SW17. 

Reflecting on his performance afterwards, Alcaraz said: “I think my level stayed at the same point all the match, and it wasn’t enough to win the match or to give myself the chance to get into the match or try to give myself chances”.

He added: “I didn’t feel well hitting the ball. I think I made a lot of mistakes. When I wanted to come back or I think I wanted to come back, it was too late. He didn’t make a lot of mistakes that I thought he was going to do so I was confused a little bit. I didn’t know how to manage that”. 

Alcaraz admitted that he needed a longer break following his silver at the Paris Olympics before heading to Flushing Meadows for the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year. 

Ben Pawlowski

Ben joined the Olive Press in January 2024 after a four-month stint teaching English in Paraguay. He loves the adrenaline rush of a breaking news story and the tireless work required to uncover an eye-opening exclusive. He is currently based in Barcelona from where he covers the city, the wider Catalunya region, and the north of Spain. Send tips to ben@theolivepress.es

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