Van de Zandschulp y Cazaux, between the great successes of Grand Slam in 2024 | ATP Tour

The Best of 2024

Van de Zandschulp and Cazaux, among the big Grand Slam surprises in 2024

Comesaña, Popyrin, Mpetshi Perricard were also protagonists

December 03, 2024

Being able to beat a top player is a feat, but doing so in a five-set match is an even greater feat.

This season there were several unexpected results in the Grand Slams, in which many ‘covered’ players managed to overthrow the favorites on the biggest stages of this sport.

As part of the special season review series, ATPTour.com deciphers the five biggest surprises at Grand Slams this year. You can also review the biggest surprises on the ATP Tour 2024.

5) Wimbledon R1: Mpetshi Perricard v and Korda 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 7-6(6), 6-3
Sebastian Korda’s great form was stopped short in his debut at Wimbledon against the great French server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Korda, seeded No. 20, had arrived in London in a good moment of confidence on the surface, after reaching the final at ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the semi-finals at Queen’s, but in her SW19 debut against debutant Mpetshi Perricard He could not maintain his love affair with the grass. On the other side of the net, the 20-year-old lucky loser, who began 2024 outside the Top 200, was already No. 58 in the world when he faced Korda, hitting 51 aces on Court 16 to win the match.

The quality of Mpetshi Perricard’s first Grand Slam main draw victory was further enhanced when Korda lifted his first ATP 500 in his next tournament, at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, before reaching his second ATP Masters semi-final. 1000 in Montreal.

For her part, Mpetshi Perricard could not maintain the level after signing the fourth round of Wimbledon. The Frenchman won two matches in his next eight tournaments, until the indoor hard court tour arrived. In Basel he won his first ATP 500 crown, which allowed him to finish the season as No. 30 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

4) US Open R3: Popyrin v. and Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Alexei Popyrin had three opportunities to surprise Novak Djokovic, 24-time Grand Slam champion, in 2024. He could not do it either at the Australian Open or at Wimbledon, where he lost in four sets, but in the third round of the US Open he changed his luck starring in one of the most unexpected moments of the tournament.

Popyrin, who came with the confidence of having won his first ATP Masters 1000 crown in Montreal at the beginning of August, added 50 winners to surpass the World No. 2. With great power in his game from the baseline, Popyrin created many problems for his illustrious rival. But the key to the biggest victory of his career according to the PIF ATP Rankings was the consistency he found throughout the three sets he won.

“Third time’s the charm [este año]I guess,” said Popyrin, who would end up eliminated by finalist Taylor Fritz in four sets in the fourth round. “Honestly, we had two battles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I had my opportunities in those games, but I didn’t take advantage of them. This match was a little different. “I was able to take advantage of my opportunities when I had them and played good tennis.”

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Alexei Popyrin celebrates his victory in the third round of the US Open against Novak Djokovic. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

3) Wimbledon R1: Comesa v. . Rublev 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5)
Francisco Comesaña gave a lesson in quick adaptation to the grass in July at Wimbledon.

The Argentine arrived in the UK in June without having ever played a match on the surface at any level, professional or junior. He lost his first attempt in Eastbourne, in the run-up to this ATP 250, before he had to face Andrey Rublev, the world No. 6 and quarterfinalist at Wimbledon 2023, in his first round at SW19.

Despite his lack of experience on grass, World No. 122 Comesaña did not pay for his little training on the surface to dress in his best clothes and surprise Rublev in an unforgettable four-set victory. It was also the first victory of his career, which he consolidated shortly after against Adam Walton before losing against future semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti in the third round.

“My family is in Argentina now and I have spoken with them and with my girlfriend, who is very excited,” Comesaña told ATPTour.com, after beating Rublev. “My phone is going to be ruined with the messages I’m receiving! It’s incredible. I enjoyed every moment of the game. I tried to enjoy the occasion, the audience. It was my first time playing on such a big court. I’m enjoying this moment and playing on grass. “I am very happy.”

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Francisco Comesaña celebrates his victory against Andrey Rublev. Photo: Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images

2) Australian Country R2: Cazaux v. to Rune 7-6(4), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Sometimes the way to achieve it is more significant than the final result.

Arthur Cazaux’s surprise over eighth seed Holger Rune in the second round of the Australian Open was shocking: the 21-year-old Frenchman, who participated thanks to an invitation, recorded only his third victory. However, what caught the most attention was how Cazaux overpowered Rune in the Margaret Court Arena.

The world No. 11 combined his clean hitting from the baseline and his intelligent cutting game that allowed him to cover the court against Rune and complete the biggest victory of his career. After sealing the win with a backhand passing, the crowd realized the importance of his role for Cazaux.

“This is a show. Tennis is a spectacle,” said Cazaux when asked about his style of play in the courtside interview, before addressing the public. “I have given everything I have and I hope you enjoyed the show. “We have the best crowd in France, but the Australian crowd is crazy.”

Giant slayer ⚔️

On his @AustralianOpen debut, Arthur Cazaux knocks out No. 8 seed Holger Rune to advance to the third round.#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/2Osj5q17ID

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 18, 2024

1) US Open R2: Van de Zandschulp v. a Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5, 6-4
A tough 2024 for Botic van de Zandschulp turned around in spectacular fashion on an unforgettable Thursday night for him at the US Open.

The Dutchman arrived at the hard court Grand Slam with a record of 11-18 during the season until then. After beating Denis Shapovalov in the first round in New York, he took to the court to face world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in the second round with the goal of winning two matches in a row for the first time in nine months.

Van de Zandschulp did not seem to come from a streak of that magnitude to impose himself with authority at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he left hints of his solid and aggressive game from the baseline. Alcaraz had not lost a set in any of his previous Lexus ATP Head2Head matches against Van de Zandschulp, but the Spaniard found no answers to the way his rival imposed his pace.

“I’m a little speechless. It was an incredible night, my first night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The crowd was incredible,” said Van de Zandschulp, who scored the biggest victory of his career in three sets according to the PIF ATP Rankings. “I come with a lot of confidence from my last game [contra Shapovalov]. I played very solid and from the first point tonight I believed I could have a chance, and you see that sometimes it works.”

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Carlos Alcaraz congratulations to Botic van de Zandschulp and the US Open. Photo: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images