Carlos Alcaraz stunned in second round of US Open by Botic Van de Zandschulp

Carlos Alcaraz was the big loser of the year at the US Open.

The world number 3 was defeated 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round at Flushing Meadows by unseeded Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp, thus ending his chance of winning his third Grand Slam in a row.

The fall wasn’t gradual either. Alcaraz started the first set as flat as possible, didn’t score a single winning set in seven games and still didn’t have much bite on his serve in the second set. Meanwhile, Van de Zandschulp, 74th in the world rankings, played some of the best tennis of his career.

Alcaraz stepped off the court after the second set to have his rackets restrung. Whether the move was born out of legitimate concern, a mind game or an attempt to reset himself, it didn’t work. The most electric player in tennis went dark on the court where he became a star two years ago.

There was a brief moment when a comeback seemed possible after Alcaraz stopped Van de Zandschulp from consolidating a break. He had never come back from a two sets to nil deficit before, but he looked confident, the crowd was behind him and he had a few magical points that have become his trademark.

And then Van de Zandschulp broke him again three games later. One hold of serve later, and the game was over. Alcaraz politely waved to the friendly crowd, who had just watched two hours of some of the worst tennis of his career, and walked off the court.

One fan, however, was more stunned than the rest. One gambler reportedly bet $25,000 on Alcaraz to win the match with BetMGM, at odds of -10,000. The payout was Alcaraz winning: $250.

The surprise loss of Carlos Alcaraz is a huge development

Van de Zandschulp advances to the third round to face No. 25 Jack Draper. It’s a potentially career-changing shift for a player who was once ranked No. 22 in the world but has lost his form this year. This is the first time this year that he has advanced to the third round of an ATP-sanctioned tournament.

He did so by beating the 21-year-old prodigy who was widely expected to take tennis by storm for the next decade, having already defeated him in straight sets in their other two meetings.

Alcaraz’s exit is a huge development in the New York City draw. The Spaniard was BetMGM’s favorite going into the tournament, but even his first-round match against qualifier Li Tu met with more resistance than you might expect from a player of his caliber.

His loss is a welcome development for Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, one of whom would likely face Alcaraz in the semifinals. Even Novak Djokovic can breathe a sigh of relief, having lost to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final last month (before beating him in the Olympic final).

This surprise also comes after No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz himself lost in three sets on Thursday. Since Hurkacz and Alcaraz were in the same quarter of the bracket, the best player left who can take that spot in the semifinals is No. 10 Alex de Minaur.