NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz’s 15-match Grand Slam unbeaten run ended at the US Open with a sloppy 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss to 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round on Thursday night.

Alcaraz won the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July to raise his career total to four major championships, including taking the title at Flushing Meadows in 2022 and was the pre-tournament favourite to leave with the trophy again.

But he never found his footing against van de Zandschulp, a 28-year-old from the Netherlands. Alcaraz was way off, repeatedly missing the sorts of shots he usually makes routinely. After double-faulting to fall behind two sets to none — a deficit he’s never overcome — the No. 3-seeded Alcaraz slung his equipment bag over this shoulder and trudged toward the locker room.

Glancing in the direction of his coach, 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz pointed his right index finger at his temple, then wagged that finger, as if to say, “I’m not thinking straight.”

He might have been excused for being confused by what was transpiring under the closed retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium on a chilly evening.

The 21-year-old from Spain came in with a 16-2 record at the US Open, where he never had been eliminated before the quarterfinals in three previous appearances. This also was Alcaraz’s earliest loss at any major tournament since bowing out in the second round of Wimbledon in 2021 as a teenager; he’s never lost in the first round at a Slam event.

The opening set Thursday was unbelievably lopsided. With van de Zandschulp’s powerful forehands and serves at up to 132 mph finding their marks, Alcaraz never seemed to get comfortable — even if he had won their past two matchups.

Alcaraz did not produce a single winner in that set and was nearly doubled up in total points, 24-13. The second set was a bit better for him, but not enough so, and a double-fault gift-wrapped a service break that put van de Zandschulp up 6-5. When Alcaraz pushed a forehand wide to end the next game, van de Zandschulp finished off a hold at love that gave him the initial two sets after 1 1/2 hours of action.

Didn’t take long for Alcaraz to fall behind by a break in the third, too, at 3-2, but he made a stand immediately — well, with some help, because van de Zandschulp’s double-fault ceded a break that made it 3-all. Alcaraz then held at love and smiled as he strutted to the changeover.

That smile was quickly gone, though, because Alcaraz’s mistakes kept arriving, and van de Zandschulp never folded.

In a thrilling match at the US Open, Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp emerged victorious over rising star Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the tournament. The match, which took place on the Grandstand court, showcased the talent and determination of both players as they battled it out for a spot in the third round.

Van de Zandschulp, ranked 117th in the world, put on a stellar performance against the highly touted Alcaraz, who is currently ranked 55th. The Dutch player’s powerful groundstrokes and aggressive playstyle proved to be too much for the young Spaniard to handle. Despite Alcaraz’s impressive shot-making ability and fighting spirit, van de Zandschulp was able to maintain his composure and capitalize on key moments in the match.

The victory marks a significant milestone for van de Zandschulp, who is making his debut appearance in the main draw of the US Open this year. The 25-year-old has been steadily climbing up the rankings and gaining recognition for his strong performances on the ATP Tour. His win over Alcaraz is sure to boost his confidence and further solidify his place among the top players in the world.

On the other hand, Alcaraz, at just 18 years old, has already made a name for himself as one of the most promising young talents in tennis. His aggressive playing style and fearless attitude on the court have earned him comparisons to some of the game’s greats. While his loss to van de Zandschulp is a setback, it is clear that Alcaraz has a bright future ahead of him and will continue to make waves in the tennis world.

Overall, the match between van de Zandschulp and Alcaraz was a showcase of high-quality tennis and fierce competition. Both players displayed their skills and determination, making for an exciting and memorable encounter. As van de Zandschulp advances to the third round of the US Open, tennis fans can look forward to seeing more thrilling matches from this talented player in the days to come.