Alcaraz Avoids Key Rival in US Open: Korda’s Early Exit Boosts Spanish Star's Chances
In a surprising twist at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz's path to the later stages of the tournament has just become a little clearer. The talented American, Sebastian Korda, who was expected to be a significant challenge for Alcaraz in the round of 16, has been knocked out in the second round by Tomas Machac. This unexpected loss is a stroke of luck for Alcaraz as he continues his quest for glory at Flushing Meadows.
Korda, who had been performing admirably this season—highlighted by his ATP 500 win in Washington and a strong showing at the ATP Masters 1000 in Canada—was seen as a potential roadblock for Alcaraz. Korda's form included notable victories over Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev before falling to Alexei Popyrin, who eventually won the tournament. However, despite his promising performances earlier in the year, Korda struggled with recurring physical issues. He sought medical attention during his match, plagued by ongoing problems with his elbow and wrist, which had required surgery in 2023. His early exit from the tournament, after a defeat by Machac with scores of 6-4, 6-2, 6-4, leaves Alcaraz with one less formidable opponent to worry about.
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For Alcaraz, this development is a welcome relief. The Spanish star will now face Botic Van de Zandschulp, the Dutch player currently ranked 74th in the ATP. Van de Zandschulp advanced to this round by defeating Denis Shapovalov, but his best US Open performance to date was reaching the quarterfinals in 2021. The change in Alcaraz's bracket could be a game-changer, potentially smoothing his path to the later stages of the tournament.
As Alcaraz gears up for his match against Van de Zandschulp, he remains focused on extending his impressive Grand Slam streak. With recent titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Alcaraz is looking to add another US Open title to his collection. Achieving this would place him alongside legends like Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal as one of the few men to secure all four Grand Slam titles in a single year.
Looking ahead, if Alcaraz advances past Van de Zandschulp, he could face either Jack Draper or Facundo Díaz Acosta in the subsequent round. The absence of Korda from the equation might ease some of the pressure, but Alcaraz knows that each match presents its own set of challenges.
As the US Open progresses, all eyes will be on Alcaraz to see how he navigates these potentially easier waters and whether he can capitalize on this stroke of luck to further his quest for Grand Slam glory.
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