Alcaraz overcomes doubts in a tough debut against Van de Zandschulp

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Despite the doubts, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Botic Van de Zandschulp in his debut at ATP Rotterdam 2025 with a score of 7-6(3), 3-6, and 6-1 in 2 hours and 32 minutes of a match with several ups and downs. From the equality and multitude of breaks, the world number three advances to the next round in the Netherlands, a match where he awaits the opponent from the clash between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andrea Vavassori.

Without Juan Carlos Ferrero in his box and with those nasal strips to improve breathing in order to counteract the effects of a cold, Carlitos came out as the clear favorite to the Centre Court of the Dutch tournament, although the local favorite was not going to let himself be beaten. After sending a first warning to the Spanish player, Botic didn't take long to capitalize on making the first break of the match, with Alcaraz showing those symptoms by blowing his nose during the changeover.

Unafraid to take risks, the top seed in Rotterdam was able to adjust his forehand at a higher speed on the court, pressing from the return to earn the opportunity to start from scratch. The truce lasted no more than a minute, as Van de Zandschulp once again wielded the axe to lead in the match. With his back against the wall, the player from Murcia clung to the first set tooth and nail to survive despite being close to the precipice.

Alcaraz survives the first blow, but Botic hits harder

Many might have thought that the great version of the Dutch player would drop in quality after giving his all in the first set, but Botic kept holding on, being aggressive when needed to leave Carlitos out of play. Although the latter tried to turn the tables again, Van de Zandschulp stayed strong from the baseline to equalize the scoreboard.

Regaining that confidence he showed sporadically, Alcaraz regained that consistency he had to resort to if he wanted to win the match. Errors came simultaneously from his opponent, more erratic in this final phase where he seemed to run out of ideas, lacking the creativity that managed to leave the Spanish player unanswered.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz supera las dudas en un debut complicado contra Van de Zandschulp