Alcaraz misplaced to Dutchman Botic van der Zandschulp, whereas Osaka misplaced to Czech Karolina Muchova.
Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka, the defending champions of the primary two majors this yr, have been each eradicated from the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz misplaced to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday, whereas Osaka Misplaced to world primary Czech Karolina Muchova 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
Unseeded van de Zandschulp, presently ranked 74th on this planet, is a big drawback towards a participant who has received 15 consecutive Grand Slam matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium Followers at Arthur Ashe Stadium might hardly imagine their eyes as Alcaraz made one mistake after one other in a stunning defeat.
“Right now I used to be taking part in towards my opponent, you already know, in my thoughts, I used to be taking part in towards myself,” Alcaraz stated. “I imply, loads of feelings that I am unable to management.”
Alcaraz is in search of to turn out to be simply the third man in historical past to win the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in the identical yr, after Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal.
“I used to be main in some areas. Then I misplaced some factors. I got here down. It was a rollercoaster, so to talk, in my thoughts,” the world quantity three added.
Alcaraz admitted he was stunned by the extent of 28-year-old Van der Zan Schulp’s recreation.
“He did not make loads of errors that I assumed he would make,” Alcaraz stated. “So, you already know, I am a bit of confused. I do not know what to do with it, the best way to cope with it.
The 21-year-old stated it was not the primary time he had felt uncontrolled of a recreation.
“I feel now that I have not modified, that is the issue,” Alcaraz stated. “So I’ve to consider it, I’ve to know it.”
Thanks, Carlitos🫶🏼See you subsequent time pic.twitter.com/YWdwo26OIO
— US Open (@usopen) August 30, 2024
Translation: Thanks Carlitos, see you subsequent time.
Alcaraz, who received a silver medal on the Paris Olympics after shedding to Novak Djokovic, stated he wanted an extended break earlier than heading to Flushing Meadows.
Lower than three months in the past, Van de Zandschulp thought of retirement after quite a few accidents.
“I am nonetheless processing it,” he stated of his win. “Perhaps in a number of hours or tomorrow I will be extra enthusiastic about what occurred tonight.”
Osaka’s revival stalls
For Osaka, her comeback from maternity depart stays stalled.
She missed final yr’s occasion after giving delivery to daughter Shai, however made up for her absence by defeating Jelena Ostapenko within the first spherical to complete within the prime 10 for the primary time in 4 years.
Nevertheless, the 26-year-old misplaced in straight units to Muchova on Thursday, leaving her with out taking part in within the third spherical of a significant because the 2022 Australian Open.
“It was a bit of tough as a result of clearly I can solely measure my efficiency by outcomes. I felt quicker. I felt higher, however I misplaced within the second spherical. So it was a bit of tough,” Osaka stated.
Muchova will compete with Russian participant Anastasia Potapova for a spot within the prime 16.
“Actually, the largest victory for me this yr is that I get to play once more,” stated Muchova, who injured her wrist finally yr’s U.S. Open that sidelined her for 9 months.
