"Carlos Alcaraz's 15-Match Grand Slam Win Streak Ends with Shock Loss to Botic van de Zandschulp at US Open"

Carlos Alcaraz’s impressive 15-match Grand Slam winning streak came to an unexpected halt at the US Open, as he suffered a surprising defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp. The 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss in the second round on Thursday night marks Alcaraz’s earliest exit at a major tournament since Wimbledon 2021.

After struggling with errors and a lack of focus, Alcaraz appeared visibly frustrated, signaling to his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, that his mental game was faltering. Despite his usual brilliance, Alcaraz failed to find his rhythm under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he was overwhelmed by the 74th-ranked Dutch player.

Alcaraz, who had a strong 16-2 record at the US Open and had previously never lost before the quarterfinals, admitted he might have been too drained from a demanding tennis schedule. “I probably came here with less energy than expected,” he said, though he refused to use it as an excuse.

Van de Zandschulp, who had a modest season and had not won back-to-back matches until this week, capitalized on Alcaraz’s uncharacteristic mistakes. His aggressive play and consistent net approaches were pivotal in the match, with him winning 28 of 35 net points.

The first set was a lopsided affair, with van de Zandschulp’s powerful serves and forehands giving him a commanding lead. Alcaraz failed to record a single winner and was significantly outperformed in points. The second set saw a slight improvement from Alcaraz, but a double fault cost him crucial points, leading to a van de Zandschulp service break at 6-5.

Alcaraz made a brief comeback in the third set, breaking back to level at 3-all, but continued to struggle with errors as van de Zandschulp maintained his composure and secured the match.

Van de Zandschulp, who had previously reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2021, now faces Jack Draper in the third round. Reflecting on his victory, van de Zandschulp described the night as “incredible” and credited his ability to stay calm under pressure for his win.