Carlos Alcaraz may not have been at his best Tuesday night, but the top seed is up and running at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, securing his first match of the tournament against Dutch wild card Botic van de Zandschulp. Alcaraz prevailed with a score of 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1 after enduring significant challenges throughout the match.
Alcaraz, who previously faced disappointment against Van de Zandschulp at the US Open last year, struggled to find his rhythm initially. Yet, after two hours and 33 minutes of intense competition, he regained his composure, particularly during the final set where he dominated to seal the victory. “I think there were a lot of ups and downs in the match,” said Alcaraz afterward. “Being set point down in the first set, I think Botic played a really solid match. Not too many ups and downs for him, really consistent throughout the match. I’m just really happy to get through.”
The first set was particularly intense; Alcaraz found himself battling nerves, hitting 40 unforced errors through the first two sets. The match began with Van de Zandschulp utilizing home advantage effectively, capitalizing early with aggression. After breaking Alcaraz initially, the Dutchman continued to pressure the experienced Spaniard.
Despite the disadvantages, Alcaraz remained composed under pressure. He asserted, “It was different; it’s totally different when you’re competing than in the practices.” He acknowledged the challenges of performing before such enthusiastic crowd support for the local talent. Alcaraz emphasized, “The first match in every tournament is never easy. I just had to get used to my first match here in Rotterdam.”
The opening set climaxed in a tense tie-break, where Alcaraz managed to take the momentum back with extraordinary shot-making, including a blistering backhand winner on the run. This shift gave him the confidence he needed, yet as the second set unfolded, the match took another unpredictable turn. Van de Zandschulp capitalized on Alcaraz's errors and became increasingly assertive, clinching the second set and temporarily shifting the match's dynamics.
Van de Zandschulp's tactical play had put him back on the scoreboard, giving fans hope of another upset. Notably, he caused Alcaraz trouble at the net, even managing to execute clever returns and maintaining pressure. “I couldn’t walk around [the city] because it’s so cold here 🥶, but the tournament is impressive. The court impressed me. It’s super big, really beautiful,” Alcaraz shared, hinting at his excitement to compete on the hard courts of Rotterdam.
Entering the final set, Van de Zandschulp seemed to lose focus, which Alcaraz capitalized on immediately. He quickly raced to establish control, breaking Van de Zandschulp's serve and not once relenting. Alcaraz’s ability to read and execute shots under pressure allowed him to dominate the set, effectively sealing the match and delivering him to the next round with renewed vigor.
The Spaniard's win was not merely about victory; it was about rebuilding confidence after being surprised by Van de Zandschulp during previous encounters. He reflected on the match's rigor and noted, “You have to get used to playing with a full crowd; it’s totally different.” His acknowledgment of nerves points to his youth and competitive spirit, traits he will undoubtedly continue to refine as he progresses.
With this victory, Alcaraz improved to 3-1 against Van de Zandschulp, avenging his previous loss at the US Open last year. He will face either the qualifier Andrea Vavassori or the two-time titlist Felix Auger-Aliassime next as he embarks on his quest for his first indoor title.
Alcaraz, who has enjoyed considerable success and currently holds 16 tour-level titles, has yet to capture the championship at the indoor events. After coming fresh off a tough quarterfinal run at the Australian Open, which remains his only tournament appearance so far this season, he aims to build on his achievement here. Alcaraz's maturity will be tested moving forward as he looks to leave his mark on the Rotterdam Open.
Reflecting on the cold and challenging conditions, he noted, “Things change a lot at my age now. I feel I still have the inner fire, but you have to work to keep it alive because as soon as I lose some intensity, things get complicated.” Indeed, Alcaraz's ambition and focus indicate he remains committed to maintaining his competitive edge as he navigates the challenges of professional tennis.