Unseeded Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp pulled off a stunning upset at the US Open by defeating world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round on Thursday night.
Alcaraz entered this prestigious tournament aiming for his third consecutive Grand Slam title after recent victories at the French Open and Wimbledon. However, he faced a rocky start, plagued by unforced errors, which allowed Van de Zandschulp to capitalize and ultimately end Alcaraz’s title aspirations.
This match marked Alcaraz’s first second-round exit at a Grand Slam since 2021, when he lost in a similar round at Wimbledon. Van de Zandschulp, who reached as high as No. 22 in the ATP rankings, will next face British No. 1 Jack Draper in what promises to be an exciting third-round matchup.
“I am a little bit lost for words; it has been an incredible evening for me,” said Van de Zandschulp. “I got a lot of confidence from the last match. From point one, I believed I had a chance.”
In a noteworthy turn of events, Van de Zandschulp broke a 43-match losing streak for Dutch players against top 10 ATP opponents in Grand Slam events, the longest such streak among nations in this category.
The match began with Van de Zandschulp taking control, winning the first three games and claiming the first set with resolute defense. Though Alcaraz attempted to adjust his strategy and make a comeback, he struggled to find rhythm and fell victim to another break of serve.
As the third set unfolded, Alcaraz briefly turned the match around, but Van de Zandschulp held his nerve, ultimately delivering a stunning upset in front of a shocked Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz stated: “I think he played great. I was confused a little bit, and I couldn’t increase my level when it mattered.”
This result highlights the unpredictability of the sport and sets the stage for the upcoming rounds of the US Open.
