Botic van De Zandschulp ousts Carlos Alcaraz in shock US Open win

Carlos Alcaraz crashed out of the US Open after suffering one of the biggest shocks of all time when he lost to Botic van De Zandschulp.

The world number three came into the tournament in New York aiming to make it three grand slams in a row, having triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon.

But he could not get past the second round stage as world number 74  Van De Zandschulp produced the result of his life to win 6-1 7-5 6-4 in front of a stunned Arthur Ashe crowd.

BOTIC VAN DE ZAND-STUNNER pic.twitter.com/3z1U95zJhP

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2024

The Dutchman has previously been ranked as high as 22 in the world.

He was helped considerably by an erratic and error-strewn performance from Alcaraz that the Spaniard occasionally has in his locker.

Jack Draper will have been an interested observer as he was due to meet Alcaraz in Saturday’s third round, but all of a sudden the British number one’s path to the latter stages of the tournament has opened up.

Novak Djokovic will also have enjoyed his late-night viewing as the biggest obstacle between him and a record-breaking 25th grand slam title is now going home.

“I am a little bit lost for words, it has been an incredible evening for me,” De Zandschulp, who had never beaten a top-10 player at a grand slam, said.

“It’s an unbelievable night.

“I got a lot of confidence from the last match. From point one I believed I had a chance and you can see how it sometimes turns out.

“I had some nerves but if you want to beat one of these guys you have to be calm and keep your head otherwise they can take advantage.”

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The Dutchman must have felt he was dreaming after a dominant first set which saw him drop just one game, but it carried