Tennis fans in disbelief as Carlos Alcaraz knocked out in worrying scenes at US Open

Carlos Alcaraz was left searching for answers at the US Open after going down to Botic van De Zandschulp in straight sets in the second round of the grand slam. Alcaraz headed into the US Open with suggestions his hard court preparation was underdone after a poor performance in the Cincinnati Open.

Alcaraz dropped a set in his first round match, but managed to find his feet to set-up a clash with van De Zandschulp. However, the 21-year-old tennis star appeared shellshocked in the first two sets with his opponent blitzing the Wimbledon champ with his powerful serve and heavy ground strokes.

The 21-year-old was well below his best as he hit way too many unforced errors against the fired up challenger. Alcaraz managed to fight back in the third set as the crowd rallied behind the four-time grand slam champion. Although it was in vain with Alcaraz unable to produce his best tennis and overcome van De Zandschulp.

Unseeded star van De Zandschulp only played one match on hard courts to prepare for the US Open, but Alcaraz was no match as he quickly exited the court after the shock loss. It marks a sad ending for Alcaraz's grand slam year having won Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Alcaraz's form since losing in the Olympics final to Novak Djokovic dipped having lost his first match to Gael Monfils in Cincinnati. The Spaniard uncharacteristically lost it and smashed his racquet having claimed he played one of the worst matches of his career.

And the 21-year-old didn't appear to recover his form, whether from fatigue or due to an ankle injury, heading into the US Open. While footage ahead of the US Open showed Alcaraz twisting his ankle in practice, tennis fans were left shocked at the staggering result with some claiming it is one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.

Both Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev are on the same side of the draw as Alcaraz. And the Spaniard's exit leaves that side wide open with the favourite now heading home early. Alcaraz's loss marks the first time since 1999 there won't be a male Spanish player in the US Open third round.

Botic van De Zandschulp in disbelief after upset

Alcaraz showed his class after the defeat to embrace van De Zandschulp at the net. His unseeded rival remained cool under pressure when serving for the match and he was also left stunned moments later in his on-court interview.

"I am a little bit lost for words...unbelievable night," van De Zandschulp said. "I got a lot of confidence from the last match, I think from point one I believed here today that I could make a chance."

Carlos Alcaraz ankle injury worries fans

Before the tournament, Alcaraz admitted he had hurt his ankle during a training sessions. However, it didn't appear to hamper him during his loss with van De Zandschulp simply outplaying his rival.

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"I think it is OK. I just stopped my practice just for precaution," Alcaraz said ahead of Flushing Meadows. "I didn't feel comfortable enough to keep practicing, just in case if everything is going to be worse."

Both Sinner and Medvedev advanced into the third round with the Italian happy with his level of tennis. "Very happy to be through against a very tough opponent," Sinner said having defeated American Alex Michelsen. "We played each other in Cincinnati ... so I knew a little bit what to expect. I think also he knew a little bit what to expect."