Alex de Minaur bombs out of US Open in shock second-round defeat

Australian No 1 falls to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5, 6-2

Wildcard Dane Sweeny last Australian standing in New York

Alex de Minaur has blown his best opportunity to claim a maiden grand slam crown after crashing out in the US Open second round in New York. Australia’s world No 7 slumped to a shock straight-sets loss to Botic van de Zandschulp, the Dutchman he had beaten in all four of their previous meetings.

In a demoralising display, De Minaur dropped serve five times and only broke his 70th-ranked opponent once in a 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 defeat on Thursday (Friday AEST). He also racked up 30 unforced errors compared to just 23 winners in the two-hour, 43-minute upset on The Grandstand.