Carlos Alcaraz faced a stunning defeat in the US Open second round on Thursday, losing to Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets. The Dutchman, ranked 74th in the world, triumphed over the 21-year-old Spaniard with scores of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Alcaraz, the world No. 3 who recently claimed an Olympic silver medal and the Wimbledon title, struggled from the start and never found his rhythm, ending the match with 28 errors. Van de Zandschulp sealed his victory with an ace, marking his first win over a top-10 player at a Grand Slam and delivering one of the tournament’s biggest upsets in recent years. The crowd applauded the Dutchman’s remarkable performance as Alcaraz acknowledged him and waved to the audience before leaving the court.
In a post-match interview with ESPN, Van de Zandschulp expressed his astonishment. “It’s been an incredible evening,” he said. “Playing my first night session at Arthur Ashe with such an amazing crowd was unbelievable.”
He admitted to feeling nervous while closing out the match but emphasized the need for composure against top players. “You have to stay unbelievably calm and focused; otherwise, they will take advantage.”
Alcaraz’s defeat ends his 15-match unbeaten streak at the US Open and marks his earliest exit from a major since Wimbledon 2021. Van de Zandschulp, who has only progressed past the fourth round of a Grand Slam once, will face British 25th seed Jack Draper in the third round on Saturday.
