van de Zandschulp's victory over Alcaraz at the US Open voted ATP Grand Slam Surprise of the Year

After the end of the 2024 season, it's time to take stock. The ATP has put together a best-of list of the year's most memorable events on its website.

While the match in Beijing between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz was voted best match of the last twelve months, the ATP has also compiled a top 5 list of the season's biggest Grand Slam surprises.

Without any real discussion, Botic van de Zandschulp's victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the US Open (6-1, 7-5, 6-4) tops the list.

Announced as one of the favourites for the title in New York, the Spaniard had fallen hard against the Dutchman, dropping three sets even before the second week.

In second place, Arthur Cazaux defeated Holger Rune, then seeded n°8, in the second round of the Australian Open (7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3).

The Frenchman put in a monumental performance to defeat the Dane. The Montpellier native then eliminated Tallon Griekspoor before falling to Hubert Hurkacz in the last 16.

On the third step of the podium is Francisco Comesana, whose first-round Wimbledon victory over Andrey Rublev (6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6) earned him a place on the podium.

This was his very first match on the ATP circuit and therefore on grass, and the Argentine took the scalp of the No. 6 seed in London.

In the top 4, Alexei Popyrin's victory over Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open (6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4) is also represented.

The 25-year-old Australian came into the final Grand Slam of the year full of confidence, having just won his first Masters 1000 in Montreal a few weeks earlier.

Last but not least, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard rounds off the top five.

Facing Sebastian Korda, always dangerous on grass, the Frenchman was impressive on serve, crushing the American in the first round (7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3) before being eliminated by a solid Lorenzo Musetti in the last 16.