Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud fail to hit US Open heights in shock losses in Astana and Tokyo - too tired?

Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud have plotted different courses since meeting in the US Open final a month ago. World No. 1 Alcaraz chose only to play the Davis Cup following his remarkable maiden Grand Slam victory.

World No. 3 Ruud opted instead for a stacked schedule that soon took him from New York to the other side of the world. Ad Neither choice looked completely optimal after shock defeats in Astana and Tokyo this week.

TennisNadal v Djokovic: Who could break Federer's one-surface title record?4 HOURS AGO Alcaraz was beaten by lucky loser David Goffin in his first match in Astana, ending his streak of not having lost in straight sets for nearly a year. In Tokyo, Ruud also went down in straight sets in his opener against Jaume Munar. Alcaraz’s loss was particularly surprising.

World No. 66 Goffin had only qualified for the main draw after Holger Rune’s withdrawal, having lost in qualifying to 19-year-old world No. 152 Luca Nardi.

But he took advantage of a below-par display from Alcaraz, who finished with 15 winners and 34 unforced errors in his first ATP event since blazing his way to victory at the US Open. Nadal v Djokovic: Who could break Federer's one-surface record? Alcaraz crashes out in Astana against Goffin Ruud beaten by Munar in Tokyo “He played better than me, really, really aggressive,” acknowledged Alcaraz. “I couldn’t handle that pressure that he was pushing on me, and of course, it’s something that I have to learn and take lessons from this match.

“Coming back to competition is never easy. He played two matches here on this court. It’s not easy to get used to; it’s really, really slow.