Stars Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka crash out of US Open in shock defeats | Tennis Information

Alcaraz crumbled towards Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp whereas Osaka misplaced to Czech Karolina Muchova.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion of this yr’s first two Grand Slams, and Naomi Osaka have each been knocked out of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

Alcaraz crumbled to a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 defeat towards Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp on Thursday, whereas Osaka slipped to a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) loss to Czech Karolina Muchova, the world No 52.

Unseeded van de Zandschulp, presently ranked world No 74, was an enormous underdog towards a participant who had gained 15 straight Grand Slam matches and followers at Arthur Ashe Stadium might scarcely imagine their eyes as Alcaraz dished out error after error within the shock loss.

“Right this moment I used to be enjoying towards the opponent, and I used to be enjoying towards myself, , in my thoughts,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I imply, a variety of feelings that I couldn’t management.”

Alcaraz was bidding to turn into the third man in historical past after Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in the identical calendar yr.

“I used to be up in some factors. Then I lose some factors. I get down. It was a rollercoaster, let’s say, in my thoughts,” added the world quantity three.

Alcaraz admitted that van de Zandschulp, 28, shocked him together with his stage of play.

“He didn’t make a variety of errors that I assumed he was going to do,” Alcaraz mentioned. “So I used to be, , complicated somewhat bit. I didn’t know tips on how to handle that, tips on how to cope with it.

The 21-year-old mentioned it’s not the primary time he’s felt unable to take management of a match.

“I’m pondering proper now that I’m not altering, and that’s the issue,” Alcaraz mentioned. “So I’ve to consider it, I’ve to find out about it.”

Gracias, Carlitos 🫶🏼 Nos vemos en la siguiente pic.twitter.com/YWdwo26OIO

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2024

Translation: Thanks Carlitos, we are going to see you subsequent time. 

Alcaraz, who gained silver on the Paris Olympics after dropping to Novak Djokovic, mentioned he wanted an extended break earlier than going to Flushing Meadows.

Van de Zandschulp was considering retirement lower than three months in the past after a number of accidents.

“I’m nonetheless processing it,” he mentioned of his win. “Perhaps in a few hours or tomorrow, I’ll really feel somewhat bit extra emotional with what occurred tonight.”

Osaka’s stalled comeback

For Osaka, her comeback from maternity go away stays stalled.

She missed final yr’s match after giving start to daughter Shai however made up for that absence within the first spherical when she brushed apart Jelena Ostapenko for a primary top-10 win in 4 years.

Nevertheless, on Thursday the 26-year-old went all the way down to a straight units loss to Muchova, leaving her with out a third-round look on the majors for the reason that 2022 Australian Open.

“It’s been somewhat tough as a result of clearly I can solely gauge how I’m doing by outcomes. I really feel quicker. I really feel higher, however I misplaced within the second spherical. So it’s somewhat tough,” mentioned Osaka.

Muchova will meet Russia’s Anastasia Potapova for a last-16 spot.

“Truthfully this yr the most important win for me is that I might play once more,” mentioned Muchova, who picked up a wrist damage eventually yr’s US Open which sidelined her for 9 months.