Sensational Botic van de Zandschulp sends Alcaraz packing and books biggest win for a Dutch player since Krajicek beat Sampras in .. 1996!
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz suffered a surprising defeat against Botic Van De Zandschulp and is out of the US Open in the second round. Alcaraz had reached at least the quarterfinals in his last seven Grand Slam main draw appearances, winning the title in four of them.
The Dutch player had never beaten a top-10 player in a Grand Slam and now moves on to the third round, where he will face the 25th seed Jack Draper.
Van De Zandschulp ousts Alcaraz in straight sets
From the start, Van De Zandschulp (No. 74) caused a stir by securing an early break, putting him ahead 3-0 after strong service games. Alcaraz was inconsistent from the beginning, winning just 47% of points on his serve. Another break in the 6th game increased the Dutchman's lead, who also didn't give Alcaraz any chances on his serve, and he convincingly took the first set 6-1.
The Spaniard had one of his worst performances seen in a Grand Slam, committing 8 unforced errors in the first set without hitting a single winner.
In the second set, Van De Zandschulp again secured a break to take the lead, but Alcaraz quickly broke back. The 4-time Grand Slam champion couldn't shake off the string of errors, though he found more aggression to keep the set close, totaling 13 winners to his opponent's 9.
However, under pressure with the score at 5-5, Alcaraz conceded a break, and the Dutchman didn't miss a beat with his serve to take the second set 7-5.
The third set initially seemed like Alcaraz was finding his rhythm again, defending his service games and getting the first break in the 5th game. Unfortunately for him, the lead was short-lived as the Dutchman broke back to level at 3-3.
The final stretch of the match saw an unrecognizable Alcaraz, who continued to commit unforced errors (27 in total). Van De Zandschulp secured a break in the 9th game and sealed the victory 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, marking the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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