Alcaraz, Osaka Stunned at US Open, Medvedev Moves Ahead

New York City, US, Aug 29 (EFE).- Carlos Alcaraz crashed out of the US Open on Thursday following a straight set 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss to world no. 74 Botic Van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the second round.

This was the earliest exit from a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2021 for Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon this year as well as a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

Alcaraz’s shock exit comes after he was unexpectedly defeated by France’s Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open a couple of weeks ago.

“I’m a little bit lost for words. It’s been an incredible evening, the first night session for me on Arthur Ashe. The crowd was amazing,” said van de Zandschulp, who has yet to win a title and had lost his previous two matches against the Spaniard.

Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedec advanced to the third round of the tournament with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (5) win over Hungarian Fabian Marozsan.

Despite 10 double faults, the fifth seed took advantage of his opponent’s 45 unforced errors to seal his win in two hour and four minutes.

He will face 31st seed Flavio Cobolli, who earlier beat Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.

In the women’s singles, two-time champion Naomi Osaka was sent packing by Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Osaka struggled early on but picked up the second set to take a 5-4 lead.

However, Muchova fought back to break the Japanese and save the set before clinching the match in the tiebreaker.

“It’s a little rough, because I do take these losses really personally. It’s like a dramatic word, but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose,” said Osaka, who won the US Open in 2018 and 2020 and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.

Caroline Wozniacki moved into the third round with a hard fought 6-3, 6-3 win over Mexican Renata Zarazua on Thursday night.

The two-time US Open finalist will play against French qualifier Jessika Ponchet, who advanced to the third round after her opponent, fourth-ranked Elena Rybakina, withdrew with an injury. EFE

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