Sport Discussed

By Ben Phillips August 31, 2024

In a stunning turn of events at the 2024 US Open, two of the tournament’s biggest stars, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, have been eliminated in the early rounds. The shocking defeats of these top contenders have sent ripples through the tennis world, dramatically altering the landscape of the competition.

Alcaraz Falls to Van de Zandschulp

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three and one of the brightest young talents in tennis, was handed a surprising defeat by the unseeded Dutch player Botic Van de Zandschulp. Alcaraz, who was widely expected to challenge for his second US Open title, was outplayed in straight sets, losing 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.

The match began disastrously for the Spaniard, as Van de Zandschulp dominated the opening set, racing to a 6-1 win. Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm, with unforced errors plaguing his game. The second set saw a more competitive Alcaraz, but Van de Zandschulp’s solid baseline play and powerful serves kept him in control. Despite Alcaraz’s efforts to mount a comeback, Van de Zandschulp held his nerve to take the second set 7-5.

In the third set, Alcaraz attempted to rally, showing glimpses of his usual brilliance, but Van de Zandschulp was relentless. The Dutchman broke Alcaraz late in the set and served out the match, securing one of the biggest wins of his career. Alcaraz’s defeat marks a surprising early exit for the top seed, who had been a favorite to go deep into the tournament.

Djokovic Upset by Popyrin

Novak Djokovic, the three-time US Open champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, also faced a shocking defeat, losing to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in a four-set thriller. Popyrin, ranked 40th in the world, delivered a powerful performance to overcome Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Djokovic started the match slowly, with Popyrin capitalizing on his opportunities to take the first two sets 6-4, 6-4. The Serbian star, known for his remarkable comebacks, fought back in the third set, winning it convincingly 6-2. However, in the fourth set, Popyrin regained control, using his big serve and aggressive groundstrokes to keep Djokovic on the defensive.

Despite a late push from Djokovic, Popyrin held firm, breaking the Serbian’s serve in the final game to clinch the match. The loss is a significant upset, as Djokovic was aiming to add yet another Grand Slam title to his illustrious career.

A Wide-Open Tournament

With both Alcaraz and Djokovic out of the tournament, the men’s draw is now wide open. The early exits of these heavyweights have drastically changed the dynamics of the competition, providing a golden opportunity for other players to step up and claim the title.

For Alcaraz, this defeat is a harsh reminder of the challenges that come with the pressure of being a top seed, while Djokovic’s loss suggests that even the most seasoned champions can have off days. Their departures will be deeply felt, but they also open the door for rising stars like Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and even Popyrin to make a deep run in the tournament.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, fans will be keenly watching to see who can take advantage of this unexpected turn of events. With the US Open now more unpredictable than ever, the remaining players have a unique chance to etch their names into tennis history. The absence of Alcaraz and Djokovic, while disappointing, adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the remainder of the 2024 US Open.