Carlos Alcaraz’s impressive Grand Slam winning streak ended abruptly at the US Open on Thursday. The former champion was defeated in straight sets by unseeded Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp, who secured a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory. This surprising second-round loss marks a significant upset in the tournament and halts Alcaraz’s dominant run.
Carlos struggled from the outset and couldn’t recover, plagued by unforced errors throughout the match. Botic van de Zandschulp capitalized on Alcaraz’s shaky performance to end the French Open and Wimbledon champion’s impressive 15-match winning streak at the Grand Slams. This loss in the second round of the US Open marks a significant setback for him.
The 21-year-old was on the back foot early on as Van de Zandschulp claimed the opening three games with some resolute defending from the back of the court, and the Dutchman broke again in the sixth game en route to taking the first set.
Carlos Alcaraz showcased his skill with a stunning forehand pass to hold serve in the first game of the next set. However, his difficulties in closing out points quickly resurfaced.
Despite his early momentum, Van de Zandschulp capitalized on Alcaraz’s struggles and broke serve to take a 2-1 lead, further challenging the former champion’s quest to regain control of the match.
A tactical tweak to return serve from deeper helped Alcaraz break back immediately but the 2022 champion gifted his opponent another break with a double fault and Van de Zandschulp went on to comfortably double his advantage in the match.
After a brief court exit before the third set, Carlos Alcaraz faced increasing difficulties. His struggles continued when a misdirected forehand allowed Botic van de Zandschulp to secure a crucial break of serve. This error deepened Alcaraz’s troubles in the match, contributing to his challenges in trying to reverse the momentum and regain control.
Alcaraz quickly responded and regained his confidence, but world number 74 Van de Zandschulp stayed ahead. Despite Alcaraz’s efforts, Van de Zandschulp secured a stunning upset with his serve, closing out the match with a remarkable performance.
“Honestly, I’m a bit lost for words. It’s been an incredible evening,” said Van de Zandschulp. “From the very first point today, I believed I had a chance. It’s an amazing feeling to pull off this win and achieve such a remarkable result.”
“I had some nerves, but to beat a player like this, you need to remain unbelievably calm and keep your focus,” Van de Zandschulp noted. “Staying composed under pressure is crucial in such high-stakes matches. Managing those nerves and maintaining mental clarity was key to securing this win.”