LO 2022: Van Rijthoven achieves best win of career

Tim van Rijthoven has caused a thunderous surprise at the Libéma Open. The wildcard player from Brabant beat Taylor Fritz in a thriller: 6-7(9) 7-5 6-4.

Prior to this week, Van Rijthoven had not booked an ATP victory yet. In the opening round he was too strong for Australian Matt Ebden in two tiebreaks. His victory over Fritz is however one of a completely different calibre. The American won the Masters 1000 tournament of Indian Wells in March, where he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final.

In the first set, Van Rijthoven could not hold on to a break lead and the 25-year-old player from Roosendaal narrowly lost in a hard-fought tiebreak with 11-9. Two set points were lost.

In both the second and third set, Van Rijthoven was not broken by the number 14 of the world. The victory was clinched with a break in the last game. On match point Van Rijthoven produced a fine return winner, with which the number 205 of the ATP-ranking secured his quarterfinal spot.

On Friday Van Rijthoven will play Hugo Gaston (ATP-66). The 21-year-old Frenchman defeated eighth seed Jenson Brooksby 3-6 6-3 7-5.