30.08.2024
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US Open
Alcaraz's Unexpected U.S. Open Exit: A Tale of Struggles and Surprises
Carlos Alcaraz's remarkable 15-match Grand Slam winning streak came to an abrupt halt at the U.S. Open, where he suffered a surprising 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp. The second-round defeat marks a rare lapse for the No. 3 seed, highlighting the unpredictable nature of tennis.
Alcaraz's Unexpected U.S. Open Exit: A Tale of Struggles and Surprises
In a stunning turn of events at the U.S. Open on Thursday night, Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed and a favorite for the title, found himself grappling with an unexpected defeat. After dropping two sets to none, a deficit he had never previously overcome, Alcaraz trudged off the court, equipment bag in tow, toward the locker room.
His body language spoke volumes — a gesture toward his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former French Open champion, hinted at his internal struggle. He pointed to his temple and shook his finger, signaling his frustration with his own mental state.
Under the closed retractable roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, on a brisk evening, Alcaraz’s impressive 15-match Grand Slam winning streak came to an abrupt end. He succumbed to Botic van de Zandschulp, a 74th-ranked player from the Netherlands, in a match that ended 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz described it as a battle within himself, “It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match. Tennis is not just about playing against your opponent; it’s about staying calm and managing your emotions.” He admitted that he struggled to control his feelings, impacting his performance significantly.
The outcome was a major shock, considering Alcaraz’s recent dominance and high ranking. Having recently secured the French Open and Wimbledon titles, and winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in August, his form was expected to carry him far in this tournament. His early exit from the U.S. Open, where he had never lost before the quarterfinals in his previous three appearances, marks a notable deviation from his recent successes.
In contrast, van de Zandschulp's victory was a remarkable feat. With a modest record of 11-18 for the season leading up to the U.S. Open and having only reached one Grand Slam quarterfinal before, his performance was nothing short of extraordinary. His success on Thursday, especially his dominance at the net, where he won 28 of 35 points, was a testament to his resilience and tactical prowess.
The match began with a dominant performance from van de Zandschulp.
His powerful serves, reaching speeds of up to 132 mph, and relentless forehands overwhelmed Alcaraz. Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm, failing to hit a single winner in the first set and being nearly outpointed, 24-13. Although the second set showed some improvement, Alcaraz's double fault at a crucial moment allowed van de Zandschulp to secure a decisive break, putting him up two sets to none.
Alcaraz fought back in the third set, breaking van de Zandschulp's serve to level the score at 3-all. However, despite his efforts and a brief moment of optimism, Alcaraz’s unforced errors continued to plague him, and van de Zandschulp maintained his composure to secure the win.
The result was a significant upset and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis. As van de Zandschulp prepares for his third-round match against Britain’s Jack Draper, Alcaraz will need to regroup and reflect on this surprising turn of events. For now, the tennis world watches with bated breath, wondering how this shift will influence the remainder of the tournament.
