Carlos Alcaraz will not seek his third consecutive Major title at the US Open. World no. 3 suffered a shocking 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss to Botic Van de Zandschulp in the second round at Arthur Ashe Stadium, ending his run of 15 consecutive Major wins.
Carlos experienced his earliest Major loss since Wimbledon three years ago, unable to challenge an inspired rival and despite raising his level after the opener. Botic played better behind the first serve and struggled on the second, still sealing the deal in straight sets.
EDITOR’S PICKS
The Dutchman played well at the net and grabbed 43% of the return points, turning them into six breaks from nine opportunities. The Spaniard generated five break points and seized two, insufficiently to keep him in contention.
Van de Zandschulp took charge in the opening set, outplaying Alcaraz on serve and return and gathering an initial boost. Carlos sprayed a backhand error in the second game of the encounter, experiencing a break and sending Botic in front.
Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot Botic Van de Zandschulp stunned Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.
The Dutchman served well in games three and five, forging a 4-1 advantage after 23 minutes. Alcaraz played another poor service game, losing serve at 15 following Van de Zandschulp’s smash winner and falling 5-1 behind.
Botic served for the opener in game seven and held at love with a service winner, wrapping up the set in half an hour and gaining a boost. The Dutchman saved a break point in the second game of the second set and clinched a break in the next one after a loose forehand from the Spaniard.
Carlos made a push on the return in the next one, pulling the break back and locking the result at 2-2. They served well in the next six games, locking the result at 5-5 and increasing the drama. Alcaraz lost his focus at the worst moment, spraying forehand errors in game 11 and offering Van de Zandschulp break chances.
World no. 3 hit a costly double fault on the first, losing serve and finding himself in a challenging position. Botic served for the set in game 12 and generated three set points after Carlos’ terrible forehand.
Botic Van de Zandschulp, US Open 2024© Stream screenshot
The Dutchman seized the first after, you guessed, the Spaniard’s wayward forehand, opening two sets to love advantage after an hour and 28 minutes and moving closer to a stunner.
They kicked off the third set with four fine holds before Botic grabbed a break at 15 at 2-2, welcoming another forehand error from his opponent and forging the advantage. Carlos stepped in on the return in the next one, converting the second break point after the opponent’s double fault and locking the result at 3-3.
Van de Zandschulp held after a deuce in the eighth game and made a push on the return at 4-4. Botic created three break chances after an extended rally and converted the second after a wild forehand from Carlos, opening a 5-4 gap and serving for the win.
The Dutchman passed the Spaniard at the net for three match points and fired a service winner on the first, sealing the deal in style and sending the 2022 champion packing.
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66d17c6b927444188711b9e9aea2feee&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennisworldusa.org%2Ftennis%2Fnews%2FOn_the_ATP_results_with%2F147819%2Fbotic-van-de-zandschulp-shocks-carlos-alcaraz-at-the-us-open%2F&c=5647985454873306654&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-08-29 20:19:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
