Rosmalen winner Van Rijthoven cannot stunt again at a tournament in the Netherlands

15 Feb 2023 at 13:14

Tim van Rijthoven was the first Dutchman to be eliminated at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam on Wednesday. De Brabander went down against the Frenchman Maxime Cressy and, as winner of the Libéma Open, could not stunt again at a tournament in the Netherlands: 3-6, 7-6 (2) and 2-6.

The 25-year-old Van Rijthoven seemed to suffer from his vulnerable back several times during the match. He had a physiotherapist come onto the court for treatment in the first and third set, but he could not avert a defeat against the number forty in the world.

Van Rijthoven was broken at the end of the first set by Cressy, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open last year. The world number 110 recovered in the second set and won the decisive tiebreak against the Frenchman, but in the third set he could no longer offer a match.

Van Rijthoven was one of the four Dutchmen to the main draw of the ATP tournament in Rotterdam with a wild card. Gijs Brouwer and Tallon Fransespoor did survive the first round in Rotterdam Ahoy.

Brouwer caused a surprise on Tuesday by beating the Swiss Marc-Andrea Hüsler (ATP-47) in two sets. Despite his ankle injury, the Greek track was too strong for the Swede Mikael Ymer in two sets. Later today, Botic van de Zandschulp will face Frenchman Quentin Halys (ATP-62) in the first round.

Van Rijthoven caused a sensation in the Netherlands last year by winning the Rosmalen ATP tournament. Immediately afterwards, he reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, where he lost to world number one Novak Djokovic.

Tim van Rijthoven had to have his back treated in Rotterdam.Photo: Getty Images