Day five of the US Open has already delivered its fair share of drama, leaving fans on the edge of their seats in New York. The biggest headline of the day so far is undoubtedly the shocking exit of Carlos Alcaraz, who was one of the tournament’s favorites to claim the title. Alcaraz was unexpectedly defeated by Botic van de Zandschlup, a relatively unheralded Dutch player, in what many are calling one of the most surprising upsets in Grand Slam history.

Alcaraz, known for his explosive style and fearless approach on the court, was taken down in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. Van de Zandschlup, who was considered an underdog heading into the match, played the match of his life to secure the victory. His powerful baseline play and consistency under pressure stunned Alcaraz and the audience alike. This win propels van de Zandschlup into a third-round matchup with Britain’s Jack Draper, who has been showing promising form throughout the tournament.

While Alcaraz’s departure has certainly shaken up the men’s draw, Novak Djokovic’s journey in the tournament hasn’t been without its own drama. Djokovic moved through to the third round under unexpected circumstances after his opponent, Laslo Djere, was forced to withdraw in the final set of their second-round clash due to injury. Djokovic, who has been chasing his 24th Grand Slam title, was visibly relieved to progress but was also candid about his own performance, calling his serve “awful” in a post-match interview. His self-critique suggests that he knows there’s still a lot of work to be done if he is to navigate the rest of the tournament successfully.

With Alcaraz out and Djokovic admitting vulnerabilities, the path to the US Open title has suddenly become even more unpredictable. As the tournament progresses, fans are eagerly anticipating what other surprises might unfold in this already thrilling event. Stay tuned for live updates and further developments as the competition heats up in New York!