Carlos Alcaraz, the third seed at the US Open and one of the most promising young talents in tennis, faced a shocking defeat in the second round on Thursday night, leaving fans and bettors stunned. The 2024 season had been stellar for Alcaraz, who had previously secured titles at both the French Open and Wimbledon, and held the No. 1 ranking for several weeks.
However, his match against Botic Van De Zandschulp, ranked 74th in the world, ended in a surprising straight-sets loss, with the final score reading 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
This upset not only ended Alcaraz’s journey at the US Open but also dealt a significant blow to a sports bettor who placed a substantial wager on the young star. Alcaraz entered the match as a heavy favorite, with odds of -10,000, meaning a $10,000 bet would return just $100 if he won. Despite these slim returns, one bettor, confident in Alcaraz’s dominance, staked $25,000 on the match. Unfortunately, this bold move backfired spectacularly, as the unexpected loss left the bettor $25,000 poorer, all for the chance to win just $250.
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The severity of this defeat has raised eyebrows not just in the betting community but also among tennis enthusiasts. Alcaraz’s recent form has been a cause for concern, particularly following a similar early exit in Cincinnati two weeks ago, where he lost to Gael Monfils in the second round. That match saw Alcaraz visibly frustrated, even earning a code violation for his behavior, and his post-match comments hinted at deeper issues.
Now, with this latest loss, there are growing speculations about whether Alcaraz is grappling with physical or mental challenges that are affecting his performance.
The shockwaves from this upset are likely to resonate for some time, both in the tennis world and among those who wager on the sport. This loss serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the risks inherent in betting, especially when the odds seem overwhelmingly in one’s favor.
