A relief for Botic van de Zandschulp

Fans had to wait a long time, but after Raemon Sluiter, Sjeng Schalken and John van Lottum in 2004, three Dutch players are in the second round of the ABN AMRO Open. After Gijs Brouwer and Tallon Griekspoor, Botic van de Zandschulp also survived his first hurdle. The standard setter of Dutch tennis had his hands full with French lucky loser Quentin Halys, but he finally prevailed : 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (4).

'It didn't start the way I wanted it to,’ said Van de Zandschulp, who was enthusiastically encouraged by youngsters in the stands for Kids Day. 'It was the first match where I felt fit again. But then the competition rhythm was simply missing. My best tennis was hard to find and you want to show that in your own country. It’s very frustrating when it doesn't work.’

Now for 27 year-old Botic van de Zandschulp and 35th in the world ranking, one of the title favourites Daniil Medvedev awaits on Thursday afternoon. 'In my hotel room I saw the opening set of his first round, and he seemed to be struggling with the court. Medvedev is a tough opponent, but I've had my chances in the past. I'll go to work unleashed.’

The record from 1995 with four Dutchmen in the last sixteen was almost broken. However, Tim van Rijthoven stumbled over American serve cannon Maxime Cressy in the opening round : 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3. 'I've never played against someone who hits both his first and second serves so hard. You don't hit any balls and that's very frustrating. I knew it was going to be a tough match, but not that there were going to be so few rallies.’

Van Rijthoven was treated on his back by the tournament physiotherapist during the match, he was heard saying : 'I feel quite restrained in my movements with my body. When serving I feel a bit stiff in the back’.
Robin Haase and Matwé Middelkoop won the doubles title at the ABN AMRO Open last year, but this time the defending champions lost in the first round. Doubles world number 1 Wesley Koolhof, also stayed stranded with partner Neal Skupski in their first performance in Rotterdam.