World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz debuts in Rotterdam on Tuesday night against Botic van de Zandschulp. The Spaniard will try to enjoy his first duel at the prestigious indoor event, although he understands the crowd will not stand by his side.
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Alcaraz praised van de Zandschulp, calling him a top player. The young gun defeated the Dutchman two times. However, he suffered a heavy US Open loss a year ago, falling in straight sets and seeking revenge in Rotterdam!
The Spaniard suffered one of his worst losses of the 2024 season in New York. Botic ousted him 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, ending Carlos' streak of 15 Major wins and celebrating his career-best triumph. Alcaraz struggled to match the rival's game in the opening set.
He raised his level in the second set and third but dropped the pivotal points to experience his earliest defeat at Majors since Wimbledon 2021. The Dutchman faced only five break points and got broken two times. The Spaniard felt the pressure and cracked under it.
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The lower-ranked player took 43% of the return points and turned them into six breaks from nine opportunities. Botic tamed his strokes more efficiently and outplayed the 2022 champion in the mid-range and most advanced rallies.
There was only one player on the court in the opening set! Alcaraz suffered a break in the second game and fell 3-0 down following the rival's backhand winner in the next one. Van de Zandschulp made another push on the return in the sixth game.
He landed a smash winner for a double break and a 5-1 lead. Botic served for the opener in game seven and held at love for 6-1 in half an hour. Alcaraz squandered a break point in the second game of the second set and got broken in the next one.
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Carlos delivered his first break of the match in the fourth game, locking the result at 2-2. The Dutchman held at 4-5 to prolong the set and delivered a break a few minutes later after the Spaniard's costly double fault.
Botic wrapped up the set with a hold at love in game 12, moving 6-1, 7-5 in front after an hour and 28 minutes. Alcaraz sprayed mistakes in the fifth game of the third set and got broken, moving closer to the exit door.
Van de Zandschulp suffered a break in the sixth game after a double fault, bringing the former champion back to the positive side. Carlos reached a deuce on the return in the eighth game but could not create break chances.
Botic held with a couple of winners and made a push on the return in the next one. He delivered a break after the Spaniard's wild forehand, moving 5-4 in front and serving for the win. Van de Zandschulp cracked a powerful serve on a match point in game ten, emerging at the top in style.
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"Botic is a top player. We have met a couple of times, and he beat me in straight sets the last time we played. That's why I'm seeking revenge. I will try to enjoy my first match in Rotterdam, although the crowd will support the home player.
They will be against me, but I will try to enjoy and perform at my best. I'm here for the challenge, and let's see how the match will unfold," Carlos Alcaraz said.
