Two and a half months after defeating one Spanish legend, Botic van de Zandschulp could face another at next week's Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The Dutch player could meet Rafael Nadal in the Spaniard's final tournament in a career. Previously, he stunned Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open in straight sets!
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Contemplating a retirement a few months earlier, Botic produced a marvelous victory over Carlos in New York, beating the favorite 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. Thus, the Spaniard suffered his first loss at Majors after 15 straight wins, conquering Roland Garros and Wimbledon but falling in New York.
Van de Zandschulp's moment of glory against Alcaraz at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Van de Zandschulp delivered Alcaraz's earliest Major defeat since Wimbledon three years ago. The Dutchman spoke about his career-best victory in Malaga ahead of a possible duel with Rafael Nadal. Despite his win, Botic admitted Carlos would be the favorite against him every time they meet in the future.
The Dutchman's game made the Spaniard uncomfortable. Also, Carlos played without the rhythm, struggling in the opener and failing to turn the tables in sets two and three despite raising his level. Botic played well behind the first serve and struggled on the second.
He faced five break points and lost serve only two times, mounting the pressure on the other side. Van de Zandschulp imposed his strokes on the return, taking 43% of the points and delivering six breaks from nine opportunities. The lower-ranked player tamed his strokes nicely.
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He welcomed over 30 unforced mistakes from the 2022 champion and drew more forced errors. Botic had the upper hand in the mid-range and most advanced rallies, controlling the pace and sealing the deal in straight sets en route to a place in the third round.
Botic plays flawless tennis in the opener
The outsider made a thrilling start, outplaying the favorite on serve and return and dominating the scoreboard. Carlos lost an extended point in the second game of the match and sprayed a backhand error to drop serve and fall 2-0 behind. Botic climbed back from 0-30 in the third game and closed it with a cracking backhand winner for 3-0.
The Dutchman made another push on the return in the sixth game, claiming an entertaining point with a smash winner and opening a 5-1 gap. The lower-ranked player wrapped up the opener with a service winner in game seven, holding at love and clinching the first part of the duel in 30 minutes.
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The outsider prevails in the second set, builds a massive advantage
The Spaniard wasted a break point in the second game of the second set after a wild forehand. Van de Zandschulp welcomed Alcaraz's loose forehand in the third game, earning a break and moving a set and a break in front. World no. 3 drew the rival's mistake in the next one, securing his first break for 2-2.
They served well in the next six games, with Botic providing a fine hold at 4-5 for more drama. The Dutchman made a push on the return in game 11 and created two break points in the next one after the Spaniard's wayward forehand. Carlos hit a double fault on the first, falling 6-5 behind.
World no. 3 sprayed more errors in the 12th game, allowing his rival to serve out for the set at love and forge a 6-1, 7-5 advantage after an hour and 28 minutes.
Van de Zandschulp keeps his composure and stuns Alcaraz in straight sets
They served well at the beginning of the third set, bringing the scoreboard to 2-2. Alcaraz missed a drop shot in the fifth game and faced two break points. He placed another forehand wide, losing serve and moving closer to the exit door. The Spaniard baunced back on the return in the next one.
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Carlos generated the second break point with a forehand drive-volley winner and welcomed the rival's double fault to level the score at 3-3. Alcaraz held at love in the seventh game and reached a deuce on the return in the next one before van de Zandschulp claimed it with two winners for 4-4.
Botic made a push on the return in the ninth game. He drewthe rival's mistake for three break points and converted the second after a wild forehand from world no. 3. Thus, the Dutchman opened a 5-4 gap and served for a career-best victory in the tenth game.
The Dutchman showed no sign of nerves, passing the Spaniard at the net for three match points. Hefired a service winner on the first, sealing the deal in grand style and sending the 2022 champion packing.
"I beat Carlos in New York, but he will always be the favorite if we meet in the future. I played well at the US Open, and my game made him uncomfortable. Carlos played below his best and looked a bit dull and lethargic," Botic van de Zandschulp said.
