Stunning Upset at U.S. Open: Carlos Alcaraz Falls to Botic van de Zandschulp

In a shocking turn of events at the U.S. Open on Thursday night, Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 1 seed and pre-tournament favorite, was ousted in the second round by 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp. Alcaraz, who had never before overcome a two-set deficit, struggled to find his rhythm under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, ultimately succumbing to a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 defeat.

As Alcaraz slung his equipment bag over his shoulder and trudged toward the locker room, he pointed his right index finger at his temple and shook it, signaling his frustration. “I’m not thinking straight,” the 20-year-old Spaniard seemed to convey as he glanced toward his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero.

A Battle Within

Alcaraz’s internal battle was palpable throughout the match. “It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match,” he confessed later. “In tennis, you’re playing against someone who wants the same thing as you — to win the match. You have to stay calm and think clearly, but today, I was battling against both my opponent and myself.”

The outcome was a stark contrast to expectations, given Alcaraz’s recent dominance in the sport. The young Spaniard won the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July, raising his career total to four major championships. He even clinched a silver medal at the Paris Olympics earlier this month. But the grueling schedule may have taken its toll. “Probably, I came here with not as much energy as I thought I would,” Alcaraz conceded, though he refused to use it as an excuse.

Van de Zandschulp’s Breakthrough

For van de Zandschulp, the victory was a career-defining moment. The 28-year-old Dutchman, who had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, displayed a masterclass in composure and precision. He won 28 of his 35 trips to the net, consistently keeping Alcaraz off balance with powerful forehands and serves that reached up to 132 mph.

The first set was incredibly one-sided, with van de Zandschulp dominating 24-13 in total points. Alcaraz, uncharacteristically, produced only a few winners in that set. Though he managed to put up more resistance in the second set, a double fault at a crucial moment gifted van de Zandschulp a service break and, eventually, the set.

In the third set, Alcaraz briefly rallied, breaking back to level at 3-all after van de Zandschulp’s double fault. However, his errors continued to mount, and the Dutchman remained unfazed. “Of course, I had some nerves, but if you want to beat one of these guys, you have to keep your calm and your head there,” van de Zandschulp said after the match.

An Unexpected Early Exit

This defeat marks Alcaraz’s earliest exit at a major tournament since Wimbledon 2021 when he was still a teenager. It also ended his 15-match Grand Slam unbeaten streak and raised questions about the physical and mental demands of his intense schedule.

Van de Zandschulp, on the other hand, advances to face No. 25 seed Jack Draper in the third round. “It’s been an incredible evening for me,” he said, relishing his moment in the spotlight.

As for Alcaraz, the loss serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis, where even the brightest stars can falter on any given night.