Carlos Alcaraz by no means recovered from a shaky begin and made unforced errors all through as Van de Zandschulp ended the French Open and Wimbledon champion’s 15-match profitable run on the majors.
Former champion Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam profitable streak got here to a screeching halt on the US Open on Thursday because the Spaniard was overwhelmed 6-1 7-5 6-4 by unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp within the second spherical.
Alcaraz by no means recovered from a shaky begin and made unforced errors all through as Van de Zandschulp ended the French Open and Wimbledon champion’s 15-match profitable run on the majors.
The 21-year-old was on the again foot early on as Van de Zandschulp claimed the opening three video games with some resolute defending from the again of the courtroom, and the Dutchman broke once more within the sixth sport en path to taking the primary set.
Alcaraz produced a shocking forehand go to carry serve within the first sport of the subsequent set however the four-times main winner’s struggles to shut out factors resurfaced as Van de Zandschulp broke for a 2-1 lead.
A tactical tweak to return serve from deeper helped Alcaraz break again instantly however the 2022 champion gifted his opponent one other break with a double fault and Van de Zandschulp went on to comfortably double his benefit within the match.
After briefly leaving the courtroom earlier than the third set, Alcaraz discovered himself in deeper bother after a wayward forehand handed Van de Zandschulp a break.
He hit again instantly and located his smile once more, however world quantity 74 Van de Zandschulp received his nostril in entrance and accomplished a shocking upset on serve.
“Truly I’m a bit bit misplaced for phrases. It’s been an unbelievable night right here,” mentioned Van de Zandschulp. “I feel from level one right here immediately I believed (I had) an opportunity.
“I had some nerves however I feel if you wish to beat one among these guys it’s important to be unbelievably calm and preserve your head there.”