With both Alcaraz and Djokovic’s ouster, US open becomes the first bang in above 22 years without the No.2 or 3 seed in the men’s draw in the round of 16.
(image source : reuters)
Within 24 hours,US Open 2024 witnessed two huge upsets.In New York,on late Thursday night, in front of a packed Arthur Ashe crowd, 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out by world no. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets.On the same iconic court, an evening later Novak Djokovic, who was lifted his fourth US Open title last year, lost to No.28 pit Alexei Popyrin, 6-4,6-4,2-6,6-4 in 3rd round.
Few had given either Botic or Popyrin a chance in the draw.Alcaraz, without being affected by suffering a shocking opening-round exit to Gael Monfils on Cincinnati a period of fourteen consecutive days back,headed into the game on the back of slam hauls in Ronaldo Garros and Wimbledon, followed by a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, and Djokovic secured a gold medal at the Game in the starting of this month and remained in the search for an unmatched 25th major. Both were among the most-liked for the title, with fanatics keeping their fingers crossed for a finale face-off next week.
In earlier this month, Popyrin who has had the best summers in the states, having won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal smashed 50 winners and take advantage on Djokovic’s poor serving to writing the biggest win of his career.
For Botic, his win over the four-time major winner was down to his aggressive brand of tennis that play havoc with Alcaraz’s usual baseline pattern and left him fighting for an effective ‘Plan B’.
Djokovic, who said about his performance ” Some of the worst tennis” he ever played. He since 2017 ended his slam season with a single title for the first time.Since the 2017 it was his earliest exit at a major tournament. Djokovic’s loss also told that since 2004 French open without any of the big three tennis star (Djokovic,Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) in the round of 16,and the first year since 2002, without these three players winning at least one of the majors.