Pre-tournament favourites Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz suffered shock defeats at the US Open in New York.
Both players have reached the final of the two previous major tournaments – Wimbledon & the Olympic Games. Alcaraz was aiming to win a third Grand Slam in a row and Djokovic was bidding to defend his US Open title after recently claiming winning Olympic Gold in Paris.
However, neither will play in the second week at Flushing Meadows in perhaps one of the biggest upsets in modern times. Alcaraz was dumped out in the second round by Dutchman Van de Zandshulp. The Wimbledon & French Open Champion suffered a straight sets loss 6-1 7-5 6-4.
Djokovic also followed his Spanish counterpart out of the tournament, losing his third round match to Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4. The Australin was too strong for the 24-time Grand Slam Champion and ended his hopes of retaining his US Open crown.
World No.1 Jannik Sinner will now be a hot favourite to claim the final Grand Slam of 2024. Other strong contenders include Taylor Fritz and Britain’s Jack Draper who has reached the last 16 without drooping a set.