(2023) Brouwer goes down fighting

It was a strong start for Gijs Brouwer, but the Dutch ace could not win his Libéma Open debut. Rinky Hijikata came back from a set deficit: 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2.

After a defeat in the qualifiers, the 22-year-old Australian advanced to the main draw as a lucky loser, where he gratefully took advantage of his second life on the Brabant grass.

This was the second mutual encounter between Brouwer and Hijikata. Both times, the reigning doubles champion managed to win at the Australian Open. In the next round, he will take on Marc-Andrea Huesler, who in turn outsmarted eighth-ranked Maxime Cressy 6-2 7-6(2).

Match point survived
In the doubles, there was Dutch success to celebrate. Tallon Griekspoor and Robin Haase won a blood-curdling match, in which they survived a match point against Alexander Bublik and Mackenzie McDonald: 6-7(5) 6-3 11-9.

The next opponents are not yet known, but it could be a Dutch party with Jean-Julien Rojer. The multiple Grand Slam champion is seeded second with partner Marcelo Arevalo and will be in action later in the week.