Greek track against Karatsev, Van de Zandschulp meets qualifier

Tallon Valentijn will take on the Russian Aslan Karatsev in the first round of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Botic van de Zandschulp was linked to a player from the qualifying tournament in the draw on Friday evening.

The 28-year-old Karatsev is the number 15 in the world. He was placed seventh in Ahoy. The Russian caused a stir last year by reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open from the qualifications.

Greek track – 62nd in the world ranking – played against Karatsev twice before, both times in the challenger circuit. In 2019 he won, in 2020 he had to recognize his superior in the Russian.

The first seeded Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Spaniard Alejando Davidovich Fokina in the opening round, title holder Andrej Roeblev will start against a qualifier. The Russian Rublev is placed second.

The main tournament starts on Monday. Qualifiers are on Saturday and Sunday.