Dutch Botic Van de Zandschulp, 29 years old and number 80 in the world, continues to apply as an unsung hero of the Davis Cup Final 8. He did not waver, defeating Rafa Nadal in what would be the last professional match of the Balearic Islands, where he certainly opened the door to tennis by winning the doubles to beat Spain.
He made an alliance Wesley Koolhof lose Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollersbeat David Ferrer’s team 2-1. It was a bitter Tuesday, early Wednesday, when even the recognition of Nadal did not match a legend. It seems like a covert action.
In the shadows, a Van de Zandschulp who wants to leave Malaga has a place in the history of tennis in the Netherlands. At the end of the 2001 semi-final, the ‘Oranje’ team was looking to play its first final in the centenary Davis Cup.
The first step is taken. In great agony. Van de Zandschulp made it 1-0 against a Germany without Alexander Zverev, who lost Daniel Altmaier 26 years old and number 88, 6-4, 6-7 (12-14) and 6-3 in 2h.42′. With plenty of suspense and drama, including a 20-minute tiebreak. Five match balls were not closed for the Dutchman. Throughout the match he needed a tenth to catch his breath.
On the fast center court surface of Sports Palace of Martín Carpena Van de Zandschulp feels at home, but the Davis Cup imposes, it is treacherous at the most unexpected moment. He recovered from a small crisis due to the fact that he missed a first opportunity to finish the victory: from being up 5-2 and serving he went to 4-4, with an Altmaier with a war paint, which released the moment he found himself defeated. Go to the net to press.
The Dutchman again held on to victory in the tiebreak, taking a 5-2 lead, having two match points at 6-4. A fiercer Altmaier overcame them with great difficulty. Five match points are not worth it Van de Zandschulp. He dropped the second set in the fourth in favor of Altmaier.
The situation stops the confrontation. Van de Zandschulp who is on the verge of tragedy in a fight he can’t seem to win. He had to chew it a lot. Always ahead, always responsive to Altmaier. From 2-0 to 2-2 in the third round. Serving for the match at 5-3, break balls against him that he has to save. On the sixth ‘match-point’, fourth double fault. Dramatic
The seventh, neither. The eighth also disappeared. And the ninth. Suffering. The tenth came immediately. The definitive. Van de Zandschulp flirted with disaster, but ended up signing up for the epic.
The second individual will be played next by his compatriot Tallon Griekspoor and the teutonic Jan-Lennard Struff. If it is necessary to use doubles, Van de Zandschulp will duo with Wesley Koolhof, against the stable couple Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz.
On Saturday, second semi-final, Italy-Australiaone o’clock in the afternoon.
Source: La Verdad
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