Three things to know about Botic van de Zandschulp

Dutch tennis player Botic van de Zandschulp stunned crowds at the US Open by beating world number three Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the second round.

AFP Sport looks at three things to know about the 28-year-old who ended Alcaraz's 15-match Grand Slam win streak:

WHAT'S IN A NAME? 

Throughout his career, tennis commentators and opponents alike have had difficulty in saying Van De Zandschulp's name and surname. Even in his native Netherlands it has not always been easy.

As for his first name, it is pronounced "Bo-tik", as opposed to the more traditional ending of "-ich".

His surname, which literally means "from a sandy seashell" also has non-native Dutch speakers tongue-tied, especially the second syllable referring to the "shell", or "schulp" in Dutch.

The player's seemingly aloof and emotionless demeanour on and off court has earned him the nickname "Van de Zandzak" from some, meaning "from a sandbag".

RURAL ROOTS

Van de Zandschulp was born in the Dutch agricultural city of Wageningen in the rural central province of Gelderland.

He started playing tennis at age four at a club in the nearby town of Veenendaal and qualified for training at a national level when he was just seven.

He played his first professional tournament in the Dutch city of Breda in 2016. Later that year he clinched the Dutch men's singles championship by beating Robin Haase in the final.

LATE BLOOMER

Van de Zandschulp, then 25, made his Grand Slam main draw debut in 2021, where ironically, he was defeated by then fellow qualifier Alcaraz.

That same year he reached his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final at the US Open after knocking out eighth seed Casper Ruud and 11th seed Diego Schwartzman. He lost to eventual champion Daniil Medvedev.

As a result Van de Zandschulp became the first Dutch player to make the last eight of a major since Sjeng Schalken at Wimbledon in 2004.

Van de Zandschulp achieved a career-high ranking of 22nd in August 2022.

Thursday's win over Alcaraz, his greatest victory to date, came three months after a disastrous first-round exit at Roland Garros.

That defeat saw his world ranking drop to 102nd and prompted him to consider retirement from the sport.

But Van de Zandschulp picked himself up.

"The most important thing is that I am playing well again, that I feel good about myself. Then the results will come automatically," Van de Zandschulp said before the start of the US Open.