In a stunning upset, Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp defeats World No. #3 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets at the US Open 2024. This was a major break in Alcaraz's 15-match Grand Slam win streak this year and eliminated the pre-tournament favorite and 2022 champion. Zandschulp, ranked World No. #74, becomes the first Dutchman to defeat a Top #3 player since 1996, preventing Alcaraz from potentially joining Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal in winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same season.
In a shocking upset at the 2024 US Open, Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp stunned the tennis world by defeating World No. #3 Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets (6-3, 6-2, 6-4).
Background:
Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, had been on an incredible run this year, winning the French Open and Wimbledon in succession. He was the pre-tournament favorite for the US Open, eyeing a rare "Triple Crown" of winning all three Grand Slams in the same season. Alcaraz had won 15 consecutive Grand Slam matches coming into the tournament.
Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked World No. #74, is a 27-year-old Dutchman who had never before defeated a Top 10 player.
The Match:
The match was a complete upset, with van de Zandschulp playing with remarkable precision and confidence. He broke Alcaraz's serve early in the first set and never looked back. Van de Zandschulp hit 25 winners to Alcaraz's 18 and committed only 13 unforced errors, compared to Alcaraz's 27.
Significance:
This was a major setback for Alcaraz, who had been expected to dominate the rest of the season. It also prevented him from joining Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal as the only three players in history to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same season.
For van de Zandschulp, it was a career-defining victory that catapulted him into the spotlight. He became the first Dutchman to defeat a Top #3 player since Richard Krajicek in 1996.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why did Alcaraz lose?
Alcaraz made more unforced errors than usual and struggled to find his rhythm against van de Zandschulp's consistent and aggressive play.
2. Who is Botic van de Zandschulp?
Van de Zandschulp is a 27-year-old Dutchman who had never defeated a Top 10 player before this match. He is known for his solid groundstrokes and strong serve.
3. What does this mean for Alcaraz's season?
This loss is a major setback for Alcaraz, who had been aiming to win the Triple Crown. However, it is still possible for him to win the ATP Finals and finish the year as World No. #1.
4. What does this mean for van de Zandschulp?
This victory is a huge boost for van de Zandschulp's career. It could lead to him being seeded at future Grand Slams and breaking into the Top 50 of the world rankings.
5. Who will win the US Open now?
With Alcaraz out of the picture, the field is wide open. Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Nick Kyrgios are all potential contenders.
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