Botic van de Zandschulp thinks it’s special that he, like Tim van Rijthoven, has managed to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon. It is the first time in twenty years that two Dutchmen reach the eighth finals of a Grand Slam tournament.
“It is very special to be in the fourth round with two Dutchmen,” said Van de Zandschulp after his victory over Richard Gasquet. “It must have been a while ago that that happened. If Tim makes it to the fourth round, then of course you want that too. Unfortunately I didn’t see much of him on Friday because I had to prepare for the doubles.”
In 2002, Sjeng Schalken and Richard Krajicek managed to reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. Schalken then lost in five sets to eventual champion Lleyton Hewitt and Krajicek had to recognize his superior in a grueling five-setter in the Belgian Xavier Malisse.
On Saturday, Van de Zandschulp was too strong for Gasquet, the number 69 in the world, in four sets (7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7) and 6-1). Van Rijthoven defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili on Friday. Both Dutchmen are now waiting for a top poster: Van de Zandschulp will meet Rafael Nadal, Van Rijthoven will play against Novak Djokovic.
Botic van de Zandschulp is in the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time.
Botic van de Zandschulp is in the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time. Photo: Getty Images
‘Gasquet remains a great player when balls come to him’
At the start of the match in the third round, Van de Zandschulp had a hard time with Gasquet. The Frenchman’s resistance, who twice made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon, was only broken when Van de Zandschulp took a 2-1 lead in sets.
“In the first three sets it was close and we were evenly matched,” said Van de Zandschulp. “The tiebreak of the third set made the difference. I had the good spirit then and I took that with me in the fourth set. When I broke him in the last set, it was over. In the fourth set he also started to feel it physically. to feel.”
“Gasquet continues to be a great player when the balls come close to him. He hits the balls so cleanly and reads the game well. The first three sets were of a high level, although the conditions were difficult because the wind was blowing in all directions In the second and third set I got a little frustrated because I felt like I was better, but that wasn’t reflected in the score.”
Van de Zandschulp played with his fingers wrapped up, but according to him that is no cause for concern. “I suffer from cuts in my fingers, but I already had that before the tournament.”