Tim van Rijthoven down at ABN Amro Open: Maxime Cressy too strong for Dutchman | ATP Rotterdam

After the earlier success on court 1 of Gijs Brouwer and Tallon Grepes it was the turn of Van Rijthoven (ATP-110), who stunted last year by winning the Rosmalen tennis tournament, to extend the Dutch winning streak. De Brabander missed the Australian Open due to a back injury. He did win his Davis Cup match for the Netherlands. The American (ATP-40), on the other hand, came with a double final place in Montpellier last weekend, losing both the singles and doubles finals, in his pocket to Rotterdam.

Both men are known for their strong serve. Logically, the two won their only ATP title (Cressy in Newport 2022, ed.) On grass, the fastest surface. It was therefore in line with expectations that there would be few opportunities for a break. But on the first and only break point of set 1 it was hit. Van Rijthoven lost his service game at 2-3 and Cressy rushed to 2-5.

With a 5-2 lead for Cressy, Van Rijthoven asked for the physiotherapist. Just like last month during the qualifications for the Australian Open, the Dutchman suffered from his lower back. He indicated to the physio that he could not serve fully. However, the Roosendaler served himself through the ensuing game without any problems. The American then served the first set, which lasted half an hour, easily: 6-3.

In the second set, the Dutch number three got a better grip on his opponent’s service. Van Rijthoven put more pressure on his opponent’s service games, but was unable to push through. The carpentry, they hit 34 aces over the entire match, continued unabated. A tiebreak was needed to settle the second set. The 25-year-old Dutchman pressed through and won the tiebreak 7-2.

In the decisive set things immediately went wrong for Van Rijthoven. He was immediately broken by the American in his first service game of the set. The Dutchman immediately tried to give chase, but Cressy kept going with his serve-and-volley tactic. De Brabander at times had no answer to this and so the match went out like a night candle. In the last game, the American hit three more double faults. But that was not enough to hand over the game. The first Dutch tennis player is out on the singles: 3-6, 7-6(2), 3-6.

Later today, Botic van de Zandschulp will play his first round match. Tallon Greek track will play late tonight against Alexander Zverev in the second round. Gijs Brouwer returns to Ahoy Rotterdam tomorrow.