Video - Tweener, racket smashing: The crazy match point between Carreño Busta and De Minaur at the 2022 US Open

2022 will probably be remembered as the best season of Pablo Carreño Busta's career. That year, the Spaniard played the best tennis of his life, winning his only Masters 1000 in Montreal after a challenging journey where he defeated Berrettini, Rune, Sinner, Draper, Evans, and Hurkacz to claim the title in Canada.

Shortly thereafter, he arrived at the US Open as the 12th seed. Having reached the semifinals twice at Flushing Meadows in 2017 and 2020, Carreño Busta could dream of another strong run in New York.

His tournament started perfectly, with victories against Dominic Thiem (7-5, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3) and then Alexander Bublik (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6). In the third round, he faced Alex De Minaur. In a match that became tense in the fourth set, the two men had to settle it in a tie-break.

At 6-5 in his favor, Carreño Busta had a match point on his serve. After a breathless point, highlighted by a reflex at the net and a tweener, the Australian then missed his smash, sealing the outcome of the encounter.

Frustrated, De Minaur smashed his racket, while Carreño Busta could fall on the court (see video below). Unfortunately for him, his journey would end in the round of 16 against Karen Khachanov (4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in 3h20).

Subsequently affected by repeated injuries, he had a nearly blank 2023 season, dropped in the rankings, and hasn't surpassed the third round of a Major since this 2022 US Open tournament.

Currently ranked 125th in the world at 34 years old, Carreño Busta is gradually finding his form again and even represented his country in the Davis Cup last weekend, contributing to Spain's remarkable comeback against Denmark.