Carlos Alcaraz's coach left red-faced after brutal gesture backfires at US Open

Juan Carlos Ferrero appeared to suggest that Botic van de Zandschulp would choke his lead

Carlos Alcaraz’s coach was humbled by Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open after making a brutal gesture from the Spaniard’s box. The world No. 74 stunned the former champion in the second round on Thursday, winning 6-1 7-5 6-4. Before van de Zandschulp pulled off the upset, Juan Carlos Ferrero hinted that the Dutchman would bottle his lead over Alcaraz.

The No. 3 seed found himself in all sorts of trouble during Thursday’s night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Van de Zandschulp raced through the first set in half an hour as Alcaraz failed to hit a single winner. Things went from bad to worse as the world No. 74 extended his lead, taking the second set. It meant Alcaraz would need to pull off a huge comeback to stay alive - and his coach believed he could. Ferrero was caught on camera in Alcaraz’s player box showing what he really thought of the man on the other side of the net. The retired Spanish tennis star shouted at his charge and mimicked a choking gesture, brutally suggesting that he thought the Dutchman would bottle his lead.

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Carlos Alcaraz suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in more than three years

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But van de Zandschulp quickly silenced Ferrero and proved him wrong. The 28-year-old held his nerve and closed out a straight-set victory on his first match point with a booming serve that the world No. 3 couldn’t get back into play. Van de Zandschulp’s post-match comments proved that he wasn’t one to choke the match. He said: “Of course I had some nerves. But if you want to beat one of these guys you have to be unbelievably calm and keep your head there, otherwise they will take advantage.” The world No. 74 will now face top-ranked Brit Jack Draper in the third round as he looks to build on his statement victory over the four-time Grand Slam champion. Meanwhile, Alcaraz and Ferrero will have to go back to the drawing board.

Botic van de Zandschulp stunned Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets

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