With Carlos Alcaraz, the US Open has lost one of its favorites. The tennis world number three was sensationally eliminated on Friday night against second-round opponent Botic van de Zandschulp (Ned) after 2:21 hours with 1:6, 5:7 and 4:6. For the four-time Grand Slam winner, it was his earliest major exit since his debut year in 2021. Already on the court, Alcaraz began to scold himself, tapping his forehead and lamenting in the direction of his coaches. “It was a fight against myself in my head,” he would later say. “I played against my opponent and against myself. I had a lot of emotions that I couldn’t control,” said the 21-year-old.
On the other side of the net, it was the biggest exclamation mark of van de Zandschulp’s career. “I’m a little lost for words. This is an incredible evening, the first time in Arthur Ashe Stadium,” said the world number 74, who reached the quarterfinals in New York in 2021. Recently, however, things had not been going as planned for the 28-year-old, which is why he even considered quitting after the French Open. After a few weeks of vacation, he changed his mind.
Osaka is eliminated
Naomi Osaka lost to last year’s finalist Karolina Muchova (Cze) 3:6, 6:7(5). The 2018 and 2020 US Open winner did not make it past the second round in her third Grand Slam tournament after her maternity leave.
