Botic van de Zandschulp Upsets Carlos Alcaraz at US Open

Botic van de Zandschulp delivered one of the biggest surprises at the US Open on Thursday, defeating the 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round.

The Dutch player, ranked World No. 74, demonstrated impressive skill by breaking Alcaraz’s rhythm and consistently pushing forward. This victory marks the highest-ranked win of van de Zandschulp’s career, as he disrupted the hopes of the Spaniard for a third consecutive major title.

After his historic win, van de Zandschulp expressed his elation, stating, “I’m a little bit lost for words. It’s been an incredible evening, the first night session for me at the US Open. The crowd was amazing.” His confidence surged after a solid performance in his previous match.

Alcaraz, a 15-time tour-level titlist, struggled to find his footing during the match, committing 27 unforced errors, including 12 on his forehand. The Spaniard’s last second-round exit at a major tournament occurred in 2021.

Van de Zandschulp took control right from the start, absorbing Alcaraz’s powerful shots and capitalizing on opportunities at the net. He converted 28 of his 35 net points, showcasing a strategic and aggressive approach to the match.

The tension peaked when van de Zandschulp faced a break in the third set. He managed to maintain composure under pressure and secured a key break at 4-4, ultimately concluding the two-hour, 19-minute match in his favor.

This match was a critical moment for van de Zandschulp as he improved his record to 1-2 in his series against Alcaraz. He is set to face the 25th seed in the third round on Saturday.

Following this loss, Alcaraz’s match record for the year stands at 39-9. The young Spanish player has secured three titles in 2024, including victories at Indian Wells and other major tournaments.