Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp Upsets Carlos Alcaraz in US Open Second Round

Unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp created a major upset at the US Open by defeating Carlos Alcaraz with a commanding 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory in the second round. This surprising result dashed Alcaraz’s hopes as he aimed to secure his third consecutive Grand Slam title, following his triumphs at the French Open and Wimbledon. However, Van de Zandschulp’s resolute play, combined with Alcaraz’s uncharacteristic unforced errors, ultimately sealed the fate of the match.

The defeat marked Alcaraz’s first loss in the second round of a major tournament since 2021 at Wimbledon, where he fell to second seed Daniil Medvedev. Van de Zandschulp, who has previously been ranked as high as 22 in the world, will now face British No. 1 Jack Draper in the upcoming third round on Saturday.

Throughout the match, Alcaraz found himself on the back foot, struggling to close out points as Van de Zandschulp displayed remarkable defensive skills from the back of the court. Despite Alcaraz’s efforts to make strategic adjustments, including a tactical tweak to his return serve, Van de Zandschulp’s consistent play and calculated breaks ultimately secured his well-deserved victory.

Following a brief break before the third set, Alcaraz encountered further challenges, allowing Van de Zandschulp to gain the upper hand and ultimately claim the match. Despite Alcaraz’s attempts to rally and regain momentum, the Dutchman’s steady performance and unwavering focus enabled him to emerge victorious, stunning the Arthur Ashe crowd with his remarkable achievement.