(New York) Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz’s 15-game Grand Slam winning streak ended with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands on Thursday in the second round of the US Open.
Alcaraz triumphed at the French Open in June and then at Wimbledon in July to take his career tally to four major titles. He notably won at Flushing Meadows in 2022, and had been tipped as one of the favorites to win the American tournament once again.
However, he was never able to find his rhythm against van de Zandschulp, the 74e world racket, aged 28.
PHOTO FRANK FRANKLIN II, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bottic of Zandschulp
Alcaraz missed many shots that he usually hits with ease, including a double fault that cost him a second set in a row. A deficit he has never managed to erase in his career.
At one point, Alcaraz turned to his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, champion of the French Open in 2003, and pointed to his temple, as if to say that he was lacking order in his thoughts.
The 21-year-old had never been eliminated before the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open, where he was 16-2 heading into this matchup.
Van de Zandschulp will cross swords with the British Jack Draper, 25e in the world, in the third round.
Top seed Jannik Sinner advanced to the third round by beating Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2.
PHOTO KENA BETANCUR, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Jannik Sinner
World number one Sinner lost the opening set in his first match in New York but had little trouble against a second straight rival from the United States at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Italian won his 50e victory of the season, including his 30the on hard court, a peak in this chapter at the ATP this year.
Sinner beat Michelsen for the second time this month, after winning a second-round match in Cincinnati.
This came shortly before it was revealed that Sinner had tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March.
Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 tournament champion, defeated Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (5).
PHOTO FRANK FRANKLIN II, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Daniil Medvedev
The Russian scored eight of the match’s 10 aces, which helped compensate for 10 double faults on his part.
Medvedev won 8-4 in breaks. He also took advantage of 45 unforced errors from his Hungarian rival.
Beaten early in Montreal and Cincinnati, Medvedev is looking for a 21e title in total.
He hasn’t won a tournament since Rome last year.
Alex de Minaur, 10e seed, also moved on to the next stage. He will face Dan Evans. On Thursday, Evans had the final say in two hours and 37 minutes – about three hours faster than his previous match – a victory over Karen Khachanov in five hours and 35 minutes (a Flushing Meadows record).
PHOTO KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sebastian Korda
Seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz and 16th seed Sebastian Kordaeboth lost in three sets, to Jordan Thompson and Tomas Machac, respectively.
The results of the 4e daytime
2e tour (men’s singles)
- Bottic van de Zandschulp (74)e) beats Carlos Alcaraz (3rd in the world) 6-1, 7-5, 6-4
- Daniil Medvedev beats Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (5)
- Alex de Minaur beats Otto Virtanen 7-5, 6-1, 7-6
- Jannik Sinner (ITA/N.1) beats Alex Michelsen (USA) 6-4, 6-0, 6-2
- Christopher O’Connell (AUS) defeats Mattia Bellucci (ITA) 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
- Tomas Machac (CZE) defeats Sebastian Korda (US/N.16) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
- Matteo Arnaldi (ITA/N.30) beats Roman Safiullin (RUS) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4
- Jordan Thompson (AUS) beats Hubert Hurkacz (POL/N.7) 7-6 (7/2), 6-1, 7-5