Carlos Alcaraz had nothing in the second round of the US Open. (Photo by Luke Hales / Getty Images)
(Luke Hales via Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz was on the wrong side of the upheaval of the year at the US Open.
The world N ° 3 was shocked 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 In the second round at Flushing Meadows by the unlimited Botic Van de Zandschulp in the Netherlands, ending his attempt to win his third large consecutive chelem.
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The fall was not a progressive process either. Alcaraz was released flat as can be in the first set, without scoring a single winner in seven games, and he still didn't have much bite on his service in the second. Meanwhile, Van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th in the world, played some of the best tennis in his career.
Alcaraz moved away from the court after the second set to hold back his snowshoes. Whether this decision was born from a legitimate concern, a play of mind or an attempt to reset, it did not work. The power was released for the most electric player in tennis, on the field where he reached fame two years ago.
There was a brief moment when a return seemed possible, after Alcaraz prevented Van de Zandschulp from consolidating a break. He had never returned from two sets for anyone, but he looked confident, the crowd was behind him and he had some magic points which became his signature.
And then Van de Zandschulp broke him again three games later. A service later, and the match was over. Alcaraz polished the friendly crowd, which had just looked at two hours of some of the worst tennis in his career, and left the field.
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However, a fan was more amazed than others. A bettor would have Put $ 25,000 on Alcaraz to win the match with BETMGM, at -10,000 dimensions. Payment had won Alcaraz: $ 250.
The upset loss of Carlos Alcaraz is a huge development
Van de Zandschulp will be announced to face the Jack Draper n ° 25 in the third round. It is a potentially changing career change for a player who has been classified n ° 22 in the world, but has seen a total loss of form this year. This is the first time he has passed in the third round of a tournament sanctioned by ATP all year round.
He did it by beating Wünderkind, 21, who was largely expected to take tennis during the next decade, a person who had beaten him in straight sets during their two other meetings.
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The release of Alcaraz is a massive development through the draw in New York. Spanish was the favorite of bets by Betmgm before the tournament, but even His first round match against the qualifier li tu tu saw him meet more resistance than you expect a player from his caliber.
His loss is a good development for Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, one of whom was likely to face Alcaraz in the semi-finals. Even Novak Djokovic can breathe a little more easily, having lost against Alcaraz in the final in Wimbledon last month (before beating it in the Olympic final).
This upheaval also comes after the seeded n ° 7 Hubert Hurkacz direct loss on Thursday. Because Hurkacz and Alcaraz were in the same support district, the best player who can take this slit in the semi-finals is No. 10 Alex de Minaur.
