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Meet Botic van de Zandschulp, the Dutch player who surprised Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open
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Meet Botic van de Zandschulp, the Dutch player who surprised Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open

A new face had a shining moment at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night.

And that was at the expense of Carlos Alcaraz.

The Dutch name Botic van de Zandschulp has now entered the history books after he defeated the world number 3 and favourite for the US Open in three consecutive sets: 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.

Botic van de Zandschulp reacts after victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the
second round at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King
National Tennis Center on August 29, 2024. Larry Marano

The 21-year-old Alcaraz lost his balance, made 27 unforced errors and converted just 40 percent of his break point opportunities. He looked defeated and frustrated as he left the court where he won the 2022 title.

Who is this Dutchman who stole the star?

The 28-year-old Van de Zandschulp is ranked 78th in the world and reached 22nd place in August 2022, after achieving a new personal record no fewer than 14 times that same year by finishing 38-29 in men’s competitions.

With his victory, Van de Zandschulp became the first Dutchman to defeat a top three player at a Grand Slam since Richard Krajicek defeated Pete Sampras in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 1996.

However, it is not the first time that Alcaraz has caused a surprise. He has previously defeated other fan favorites.

In 2023, he defeated current world number 12 Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals of the ATP Munich, before losing to Dane Holger Rune in the final for the second year in a row.

He also defeated current world number 8 Casper Ruud of Norway en route to the 2022 ATP Munich final and defeated current world number 6 Andrey Rublev of Russia to reach the semi-finals in St Petersburg in 2021.

Botic van De Zandschulp greets Carlos Alcaraz after his surprising victory in the second round of the US Open on August 29, 2024. SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Van de Zandschulp is also no stranger when it comes to success at the US Open.

In 2021, the Wageningen native became the third male qualifier to reach the US Open quarterfinals in the Open Era (since 1968). He also became the first Dutchman since 2004 to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam.

He has not gone as far or better in a Grand Slam since then.

This year, Van de Zandschulp has a 1-3 record in Grand Slam matches leading up to the US Open.

Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands hits a forehand during his surprise victory over Carlos Alcaraz on August 29, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

At Wimbledon he only reached the second round.

He entered Thursday night’s match with a singles record of 12-18 and an overall record of 5-13 against players in the top 10.

Van de Zandschulp, who turned pro in 2016, has also been in a relationship with Floor Isabel’t Hart since 2011, who posted a series of photos on Instagram with the tennis star for his birthday in 2022.

Early Friday morning, she shared a post from the US Open on her Instagram story about Van de Zandschulp’s huge win, along with three fire emojis.

After the most important match of his career, Van de Zandschulp advances to the third round to face number 25 Jack Draper from Great Britain on Saturday.