Alex de Minaur has been bundled out of the US Open with a shock second-round loss to Botic van de Zandschulp.
The sixth seed had never previously lost to the unheralded Dutchman in four previous encounters, and had made quarter-finals in each of the last two years in New York.
But the top-ranked Aussie collapsed against the big-hitting 30-year old’s power and accuracy, with the 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 loss continuing a disappointing season in which he hasn’t reached the last eight at a major since the Australian Open.
De Minaur struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match, and squandered his chance in the second set, broken in the penultimate game to go two sets to love down.
He was simply unable to make any inroads on the van de Zandschulp serve, generating just five break point chances.
“He was absolutely fuming,” commentator Robbie Koening said on the international feed as an overhit forehand gave the Dutchman the second set.
A well hit forehand down the line saved a match point at 5-2 in the third set, and de Minaur would save two more to keep the flame flickering.
But it would only delay the inevitable, with van de Zandschulp’s serve repeatedly getting him out of trouble before sealing the upset at the fourth time of asking to progress to the last 32.
Summing up the day, de Minaur’s racquet string would break on the final point, causing him to send a backhand long to end a lengthy rally.
The loss is particularly disastrous for de Minaur, whose run to the final eight appeared to have been made easier by 12th seed Rafael Jodar’s surprise first-round loss.
Van de Zandschulp is no stranger to a deep run in New York, having reached the quarter-finals in 2021 and stunned Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the second round of the 2024 edition.
Compatriot Dane Sweeny, meanwhile, pulled off the most significant win of his career, knocking out 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti in a major upset to reach the third round of the US Open.
But Alex de Minaur is on the brink of crashing out after a horror start to his second-round match.
The world No. 123, who qualified for the tournament via a wildcard, had just two previous grand slam wins to his name heading into the second-round clash.
But he simply overwhelmed the injured and fatigued Italian, whose 2026 has been cruelled by injury after reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January.
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Despite winning the first set, Musetti called for the physio during the third and deteriorated throughout the match, with the 25-year old Aussie booking a spot in the third round of a grand slam for the first time ever.
The result secures a $402,500 (AUD) payday – almost half his previous career prizemoney at a single stroke.
Sweeny’s desperation was summed up by a remarkable moment early in the second set, when he dived full length for a leaping volley at the net to set up three break points.
Sweeny would break moments later for a 3-1 lead and never look back.
“Dane is dreaming big in New York!” commentator Mikey Perera said on the US Open international feed as a Musetti forehand slammed into the net to complete the 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win.
“The biggest win of his life.”
The Italian hadn’t featured at this year’s French Open or Wimbledon due to a series of injuries, including a rectus femoris injury.
Tennis journalist Morgado wrote on X that the flamboyant Italian had been “destroyed” by his body throughout the season.
Former American player Steve Johnson said the result was an “absolutely perfect performance from start to finish”.
“I’m so grateful to even be able to compete in grand slams,” Sweeny said.
“Tennis can change on the flip of a coin. You’ve just got to keep persevering, and that’s what I did.”
2026 is the Australian’s first appearance at the US Open, having at the Australian Open earlier this year won his first ever match in a main draw at a grand slam.
Sweeny will next face another Italian in 21th seed Luciano Darderi on Sunday (AEST), with a mouth-watering $666,600 payday up for grabs.
Having previously considered walking away from tennis after a series of frustrating results, the 25-year old is now glad he didn’t.
“I wasn’t getting results for a long while,” he said.
“But the law of probability, I knew it was going to swing in my favour if I just kept going, and I did.
“Now I’m here. Best decision I ever made to come back after that two months.”
Sweeny’s win was a rare highlight on a difficult day for Australians in New York, with de Minaur one of three men to fall on the fifth day at Flushing Meadows.
Qualifier Tristan Schoolkate, who has reached the second round at the last three US Opens, threatened a shock when he took the first set 6-3 over fifth seed and French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli, before the Italian recovered to win in four sets 3-6, 6-3 6-4, 7-5.
Commentator Nico Pereira said Cobolli was “brilliant” in avoiding the upset, while Schoolkate, who rose to prominence after taking a set off world No.1 Jannik Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open, forced him to work for every point.
The Western Australian was able to break Cobolli’s serve twice, claiming 100 per cent of his break point chances, but struggled on his own serve, winning just 46 per cent of points behind his second serve.
Among the highlights was an extraordinary tweener from the Italian to lob Schoolkate at a crucial moment in the third set.
Alexei Popyrin also fell on the wrong side of aa tight tussle with 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo, losing in four sets after consecutive tiebreak losses after winning the first set 6-2.
Popyrin, who famously ousted Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open, required a medical timeout in the fourth set, and eventually faded to lose 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-2.
APOLOGY TWIST AFTER WORLD NO.1’S FIERY CLASH WITH JOURNO
Aryna Sabalenka has apologised after a heated confrontation during a press conference at the US Open, according to the journalist at the centre of the drama.
The World No.1 cruised into the third round after crushing Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1.
But she took umbrage after reporter Matt Futterman asked her about her mood, while saying her lead-in to the tournament had been “parties and fun”.
Sabalenka had been prolific on social media in the week prior to the US Open, regularly posting at events and on behalf of brands sponsoring her.
“You guys are like a joke,” she replied.
“Parties, fun, why would you even say that? Why would you event think about that?
“What kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands, and you think that I’ve been partying, not training?”
“I’m saying that there are a lot of events and things like that, I’m not saying you go to the parties,” Futterman responded.
“You literally said that,” Sabalenka answered.
The journalist attempted to clarify by saying: “For everyone who’s unclear, I’m not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties – I’m saying that she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do, and lots of events”.
Sabalenka added later in the press conference: “Think before you say stuff”.
The fiery interaction saw social media light up – primarily in support of Sabalenka.
However, in response to a post on X claiming he had been “cooked” by the two-time reigning US Open champion, Futterman wrote that Sabalenka and her agent “actually texted me to apologise”.
US journalist Jessica Schiffer was among those to come to Futterman’s defence, writing on X that Sabalenka had been a “d**k for absolutely no reason”.
“Genuinely disturbing how eager people are to pile on innocent colleagues but will consistently excuse the behavior of actual bad actors in our sport,” she added.